Journalist Khaja Main Uddin’s article, published on July 22, 2026, revisits the violent events of July 2024 in Bangladesh, when student protests over government job quota reforms turned deadly. The piece recalls how demonstrations demanding merit-based recruitment were met with police force and political labeling, leaving many students injured and at least one killed. The author highlights the July 16, 2024, incident in which a student from Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University was shot dead during protests.

The article criticizes the government’s reaction, noting that ruling party leaders framed protesting students as “razakars,” deepening social divisions. It argues that the quota reform movement was a legitimate expression of youth frustration over unemployment, corruption, and inequality. The writer questions the moral stance of those who remain silent in the face of state violence and compares the suppression of dissent to historical authoritarianism.

The commentary concludes that the quota system, even if well-intentioned, has become a tool for favoritism and political control, warning that imposed narratives cannot indefinitely suppress demands for justice and democratic rights.

Bangladesh marks the second anniversary of the July 2024 mass uprising amid rising political tension over unfulfilled reform promises. The uprising, which cost over 1,500 young lives, had aimed not just to topple a government but to establish justice, accountability, and a democratic system free from authoritarianism. Two years later, the country has seen a return to participatory elections, with the BNP forming government after the February 2026 polls, while Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) lead the opposition. Yet, frustration grows over the slow pace of justice for victims and delays in implementing the ‘July Charter’ of reforms.

Opposition leaders accuse the ruling party of ignoring the people’s referendum-backed mandate for structural reforms, while the government insists it remains committed to the charter’s full implementation. The dispute has fueled nationwide protests and political polarization. Analysts warn that both sides risk undermining the uprising’s spirit if reform pledges become tools of partisan rivalry.

The article urges all parties to prioritize justice for victims, transparent reform timelines, and constructive parliamentary debate to prevent renewed instability and uphold the uprising’s democratic ideals.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called on the US federal government to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a video message posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, Mamdani said the city administration lacks the legal authority to execute ICC warrants independently, urging Washington to act instead.

Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war criminal responsible for atrocities in Gaza, alleging that over 73,000 people were killed under his leadership and that hospitals and humanitarian aid routes were targeted. He said the United States shares responsibility because American-funded weapons were used in the attacks. Mamdani emphasized that Netanyahu and any fugitive war criminals are not welcome in New York City.

The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the United States.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that the United States has spent 37.5 billion dollars so far in the ongoing war with Iran. He said the figure includes some operational and maintenance costs through the end of September but did not provide further details. The Trump administration had earlier estimated the war cost at 29 billion dollars in May.

During the hearing, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane supported a proposed 1.5 trillion dollar defense budget, including about 70 billion dollars allocated for the Iran war. Moody’s Analytics estimated that indirect economic effects, such as rising fuel prices, could push total US costs to as high as 150 billion dollars.

Hegseth added that the war has strained US weapons stockpiles, requiring extra funding to boost production of high-demand ammunition and arms. He warned that delays in budget approval could force cuts in future military training programs. Democratic Senator Patty Murray questioned the logic of combining various spending areas in the proposed defense budget.

Jamalpur-3 Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Babul has called on journalists to publish both positive and negative news without fear or obstruction. He made the appeal on Tuesday afternoon during the monthly meeting of the Upazila Law and Order Committee held at the Madarganj Upazila Parishad conference room, where he attended as the chief guest.

Babul stated that journalists should report freely even if their news goes against the government, himself, the UNO, or the police, emphasizing that such reporting benefits the people of Madarganj, the country, and the government. He also urged the media to highlight both the government’s development activities and issues such as injustice, irregularities, corruption, and anti-public interest actions with objectivity and responsibility.

The meeting, chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Suman Chowdhury, discussed local law and order, crime prevention, drug control, public safety, improvement of government services, and ongoing departmental activities. Several local officials, political leaders, and journalists were present at the event.

On July 22, 2026, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with top business leaders at her office amid intense nationwide protests over the government’s quota reform policy. During the meeting, she dismissed rumors of fleeing the country, declaring, “Sheikh Hasina does not flee.” Business leaders, including heads of major industrial groups, expressed full support for her. The meeting followed days of violent clashes and a government crackdown that left hundreds dead and thousands detained.

The unrest began after a July 2024 government order approved a 7 percent quota in public service jobs, reserving 5 percent for freedom fighters’ families, 1 percent for ethnic minorities, and 1 percent for persons with disabilities and the third gender. Student protesters rejected the order, demanding full merit-based recruitment. The government responded with internet shutdowns, curfews, and forceful suppression across major cities.

The United Nations expressed concern over the reported use of UN-marked armored vehicles by the Bangladesh Army during the crackdown. Law enforcement leaders later visited affected areas, vowing legal action against those involved in the violence.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday presented a five-point demand to India’s central government, calling for the resignations of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The move followed widespread student protests over alleged government repression and police action during demonstrations against the NEET exam paper leak. The opposition intensified its agitation in the capital, where several Congress leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by Delhi Police near the Prime Minister’s residence and later released.

In a video message recorded before his release, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of mistreating students and outlined his demands. These included the resignation of the two ministers, action against police involved in attacks on students, withdrawal of cases filed against protesters, a public apology from the Prime Minister for police operations, a full parliamentary debate on the issue, and urgent reforms in the education and competitive examination systems.

According to Rahul Gandhi, the opposition alliance plans to press for detailed discussions on the matter in both houses of Parliament on Wednesday.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced plans to intensify its protest in Delhi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for families of deceased examinees, and the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk. CJP leader Abhijit Dipak said the movement would continue at Jantar Mantar despite police restrictions. The protests follow violent clashes on Monday when police dismantled the protest stage and used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, leaving over 100 injured, including a critically hurt young woman.

The Indian National Congress expressed solidarity by staging a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, where several senior leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, were detained. Rahul Gandhi accused the government of suppressing students’ voices and demanded the resignation of Modi and the Home Minister. Meanwhile, Modi ordered strict action against those involved in the exam leak, and officials said dialogue with protesters remains open though no schedule is set.

Analysts noted that widespread student support and opposition involvement have intensified pressure on Modi’s government, signaling a potential escalation of the crisis.

Indian opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were released by police hours after being detained for participating in a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence. The detention occurred on Tuesday morning when Rahul Gandhi joined a sit-in demonstration and announced plans to continue the protest overnight. Delhi Police detained him shortly afterward.

Following his detention, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi visited the Mandir Marg police station. Rahul Gandhi was later released from Chhatrasal Stadium, after which Sonia Gandhi left the station. Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and other opposition figures detained during the protest were also freed the same night.

The Congress party organized the protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues including the alleged leak of NEET exam questions and police action against student demonstrators in Delhi.

Hasan Mahmud Shuvo, a student of Dhaka International Medical College and resident of Hazariganj Union in Charfassion, Bhola, continues to suffer from leg pain caused by police torture during the 2024 July uprising. He was arrested and beaten by police near Dhaka College on July 27, 2024, leaving him with a lasting knee injury.

Shuvo was an active participant in the 2024 mass movement, joining rallies, writing in media and social platforms, and advocating against injustice. He described witnessing deadly violence on July 19 in Uttara’s BNS Center area, where several protesters were shot. He said he believed silence in the face of oppression was unacceptable and viewed writing as a form of resistance to awaken public conscience and preserve history.

Reflecting on his experience, Shuvo urged the younger generation to remember the sacrifices made for freedom, justice, and democracy, emphasizing that such values never come without struggle.

A wave of dissatisfaction has erupted among officials in the engineering department of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) after six sub-assistant engineers were given additional responsibilities allegedly without following proper procedures. The appointments, made by CCC Secretary Ashraful Amin without informing the chief engineer, reportedly violated the organogram and seniority rules. Despite no vacant posts, the secretary assigned extra duties, raising concerns about the breakdown of the chain of command and the deterioration of the department’s working environment.

According to CCC sources, the engineering department has 14 assistant engineer posts, all currently filled. The new assignments increased the number of officials holding equivalent positions to 21. Several officials alleged that the process ignored the 2023 policy on temporary or additional duties, which allows such appointments only to vacant posts. The chief engineer confirmed he was not informed of the decisions, while the secretary admitted to bypassing the organogram, citing operational necessity.

Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said the controversial additional duties would be reviewed and that no unlawful actions would continue. Local governance experts urged immediate publication of the seniority list and revision of the organogram to prevent further administrative unrest.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a workshop for its central office staff on Tuesday morning at the Al-Falah auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka. Party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing that the central office should reflect the organization’s ideals, discipline, service, and responsibility.

In his address, Dr. Rahman urged all officers and employees to demonstrate honesty, efficiency, punctuality, and trustworthiness in every aspect of their work. He called for sincerity, cooperation, and accountability to make organizational activities more dynamic and effective. He further stated that every responsibility should be performed with the mindset of worship, aiming for divine satisfaction through dedication, professionalism, and ethics, which would bring positive change to individuals, institutions, and society.

The workshop was presided over by Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum and conducted by Central Office Secretary Maulana Abdus Sattar. Other speakers included Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and several senior leaders, who discussed improving office management, responsibility, service quality, and organizational efficiency.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has stated that it is monitoring media and social media reports involving Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4 and a Jamaat leader. The party said it will collect factual information and take necessary action according to its organizational rules. The issue has drawn attention after a video featuring the MP and a young woman circulated online.

The report raises the question of whether Gazi Nazrul Islam would lose his parliamentary seat if expelled from Jamaat. According to parliamentary precedent, an MP’s seat may be canceled if the party formally requests the Speaker to revoke it following expulsion. However, if only organizational positions are withdrawn without such a request, the seat usually remains. The article cites past examples involving MPs from the Awami League and Jatiya Party to illustrate this distinction.

Gazi Nazrul Islam has issued a statement claiming the woman seen in the video is his second wife, married with the consent of his first wife. Local Jamaat leaders have echoed this explanation.

A series of objectionable videos featuring Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam from Satkhira-4 have gone viral on social media, showing him in intimate moments with a young woman. The footage, reportedly recorded in a Dhaka bedroom, sparked widespread debate across the country. While some party supporters initially claimed the videos were AI-generated, Nazrul later stated that the woman, Mariam Khatun, was his second wife.

However, confusion has arisen over the authenticity of their marriage certificate. The marriage registrar, Maulana B.A.M. Baki Billah, told reporters he was contacted late Monday night and instructed by phone to prepare the document, though he did not witness the ceremony. He admitted receiving all details from Dhaka and said the bride and her guardian signed the certificate later. The document lists Mariam’s birth date as May 22, 2008, raising further questions.

Fact-checkers found a June 22 biodata of Mariam endorsed by Nazrul, describing her as unmarried, despite his claim of a June 17 marriage. Jamaat’s central publicity wing said it is investigating the matter for possible organizational action.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain has alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has backed away from its 31-point commitments made before the national election. He made the remarks on Tuesday, July 21, at a street rally held at the Government Pilot High School ground in Jaldhaka, Nilphamari, organized as part of the 'July March to Build the Nation' program.

Hossain said the BNP had pledged to implement the July Charter and reform the state system before the election, but five months after the polls, none of those promises have been fulfilled. He claimed that the BNP had moved away from its earlier positions on constitutional reform, voting rights, and the caretaker government system. Expressing concern over the economic situation, he said rising debt and commodity prices made state reform urgent. He added that the public had faith in the NCP and that NCP-backed candidates would contest the upcoming local government elections.

Other NCP leaders, including Nasiruddin Patwari and Sarjis Alam, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need to implement the July referendum verdict to address regional disparities and fulfill public expectations for state reform.