The National Citizens Party (NCP) launched its ‘Anti-Aggression March’ in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon to commemorate Bangladesh’s Victory Day. The procession began at Banglamotor intersection around 3:30 p.m. and is scheduled to pass through Katabon, Nilkhet, and Palashi before concluding at the Central Shaheed Minar.

The march is being led by NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, accompanied by senior party figures including chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, southern region organizer Hasnat Abdullah, and joint conveners Samanta Sharmin and Ariful Islam Adib. The event aims to highlight national unity and opposition to aggression, both domestic and external, according to party organizers.

The rally underscores NCP’s attempt to strengthen its political visibility amid a crowded opposition landscape. Observers note that the Victory Day occasion provides smaller political groups an opportunity to connect with citizens through symbolic demonstrations of patriotism and solidarity.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a social media reel-making competition titled “Amar Vabnay Bangladesh” to mark the homecoming of its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. The contest, unveiled at a press conference in Gulshan, Dhaka, encourages participants from Bangladesh and abroad to create one-minute reels on 11 selected themes, including family card, farmer card, employment, education, environment, and sports. Entries must be posted on the BNP’s official Facebook event page between December 16 and December 25.

According to Dr. Mahdi Amin, adviser to Tarique Rahman, the top ten winners will earn an exclusive conversation opportunity with the BNP leader. Winners will be chosen based on 30% public voting and 70% jury evaluation. The initiative aims to engage citizens of all ages, particularly youth, in expressing their vision for Bangladesh’s future through digital storytelling.

Party officials said the competition seeks to highlight public aspirations and foster political engagement ahead of Tarique Rahman’s return, signaling BNP’s growing emphasis on digital outreach and youth mobilization.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that his party remains united against what he termed the 'traitors of 1971 and 2024'. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on December 16, he accused 'fallen fascist forces' of attempting to destabilize Bangladesh and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections. Islam linked current political unrest to historical struggles for sovereignty and justice, asserting that the people’s fight for dignity continues.

He criticized the government for failing to arrest those involved in the recent attack on Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, expressing frustration over what he described as a deteriorating security environment. Islam also urged NCP candidates to campaign for reform and a 'yes' vote in the forthcoming election and referendum.

Political analysts view his remarks as part of a broader effort by smaller parties to position themselves amid rising uncertainty before the polls. The NCP’s emphasis on anti-fascist unity may signal attempts to mobilize disaffected voters seeking systemic reform.

Gono Odhikar Parishad’s General Secretary Rashed Khan has accused the ruling Awami League of plotting to assassinate 50 parliamentary candidates before Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on Tuesday, Khan claimed the campaign had already begun, citing the recent shooting of activist Osman Hadi as evidence.

Khan criticized the government’s handling of the attack, questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He referenced the Home Affairs Adviser’s announcement of a 5 million taka reward for identifying the attackers, calling it a sign of institutional failure. Khan further alleged that the government’s advisory and administrative bodies lack coordination and competence, arguing that promised reforms have not materialized.

The opposition leader’s remarks come amid heightened political tension ahead of the election. His call for an “Operation Devil Hunt 2” against what he termed “fascist elements” in government underscores growing distrust between opposition groups and state authorities.

Mufti Amir Hamza, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Kushtia-3 constituency, claimed that 90% of the stories surrounding Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War are fabricated. Speaking at a Victory Day rally organized by the district Jamaat at Kushtia’s Bijoy Ullash Chattar, he argued that the party’s wartime role had been misrepresented and that Jamaat was opposed to Indian intervention, not the independence movement itself.

Hamza cited historian Badruddin Umar’s writings to support his claim, asserting that the public had been denied the truth about the war’s history. He emphasized that Jamaat stood for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and sought to build a future free from foreign influence. Party leaders including Suja Uddin Joardar and Mazharul Haque were present at the event.

His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from pro-liberation groups and historians, who view such statements as attempts to distort the nation’s foundational history. The comments are likely to intensify political debate ahead of upcoming national elections.

A newly named road in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, ‘Felani Avenue,’ was inaugurated on Bangladesh’s Victory Day to honor Felani Khatun, the teenage girl killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in 2011. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, as chief guest, and chaired by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator Mohammad Ejaz.

Officials described the naming as a symbolic act of remembrance and protest against ongoing border killings. Khan stated that the road’s name would remind citizens of the cruelty Felani endured and reflect Bangladesh’s call to end such cross-border violence. Local Government Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi termed the killing a clear human rights violation.

DNCC administrator Ejaz noted that the initiative represents national dignity and moral protest, emphasizing that Bangladesh will uphold its humanitarian values in dialogue with neighboring countries. The move underscores continued public sensitivity to border-related human rights issues.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to attend his final party program in London on Tuesday before returning to Bangladesh. The event, marking Victory Day, will take place at the City Pavilion at 5 p.m., where Rahman is expected to deliver a directive speech to party members and formally bid farewell to the UK-based BNP community.

Local BNP leaders confirmed that due to time constraints, no separate community event will be held. UK BNP Joint Secretary Khosruzzaman Khosru said enthusiasm among activists is high, with extensive preparations underway to ensure the program’s success. The meeting will be chaired by BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and UK BNP President M.A. Malik, and conducted by National Executive Committee member and UK BNP General Secretary Koysor M. Ahmed.

Rahman, who has lived in the UK since 2008 following his release from detention after the 2007 political upheaval, is expected to depart for Bangladesh on December 24. His return marks a significant political moment for the BNP ahead of the next national election.

Jagannath University’s branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a 100-boat rally on Dhaka’s Buriganga River on December 16 to commemorate Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Around 700 activists participated, wearing red and green shirts and carrying national flags. The rally began at Shyambazar Ghat, reached Postogola Bridge, and returned to its starting point, drawing attention from locals and media.

Speakers, including Shibir’s Jagannath University president and student panel candidates, said the event aimed to honor the Liberation War’s legacy while raising awareness about river conservation. They criticized river encroachment and pollution, alleging that India’s upstream water control has harmed Bangladesh’s major rivers such as Teesta and Feni. The organizers also condemned a recent social media post by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it disrespectful to Bangladesh’s independence.

The rally’s combination of patriotic celebration and environmental advocacy highlighted growing student activism around national sovereignty and ecological issues. Authorities have not commented on the event or its political undertones.

At a Victory Day event in Dhaka, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of *Amar Desh*, asserted that no foreign power, including India, could ever subjugate Bangladesh again. Speaking as chief guest at a free medical camp and scholarship ceremony organized by Insaf Baraka Kidney and General Hospital, he praised the resilience of Bangladesh’s 180 million citizens and honored the sacrifices of freedom fighters who secured independence in 1971.

Rahman emphasized the importance of remembering key national milestones such as 1947, 1971, and the July Revolution, describing them as defining moments of national pride. He criticized the country’s corrupt elite for exploiting ordinary citizens and urged investment in human resources and healthcare to reduce dependence on foreign medical treatment. Highlighting the success of students from modest backgrounds, he said they represent the nation’s true strength and future.

The event’s organizers echoed his call for unity and progress, stressing that the spirit of the Liberation War and July Revolution must guide Bangladesh’s development toward a self-reliant future.

Bangladesh’s main opposition party BNP did not attend an all-party protest rally at Dhaka’s Shaheed Minar on Monday, organized by Inqilab Mancha to condemn the shooting of independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. Although BNP leaders expressed solidarity over the phone, their absence drew attention as representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and other anti-government groups were present.

Party insiders said BNP avoided the event to prevent being drawn into controversy or provocation, especially after senior leader Mirza Abbas faced hostility while visiting Hadi earlier. Analysts noted that the party’s leadership wanted to avoid any incident that could disrupt the pre-election environment or link BNP to inflammatory speeches.

The rally featured strong anti-India rhetoric from former adviser Mahfuz Alam and NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, which observers said validated BNP’s caution. Political analysts believe the party’s restraint signals a strategic effort to maintain stability and distance itself from radical narratives ahead of the upcoming national election.

Several members of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action have been hospitalized in the United Kingdom after more than 40 days of hunger strike. According to legal documents reviewed by Sky News, five of the eight detainees have been admitted to hospital, marking the country’s largest hunger strike since 1981. The protesters are facing charges related to break-ins at an Israel-linked defense firm and a Royal Air Force base attack that damaged two military jets.

The deteriorating health of detainees, including Kamran Ahmed and Qaiser Zuhrah, has drawn urgent appeals from lawmakers. Labour MP John McDonnell called the situation an emergency, urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to intervene, while MP Zarah Sultana warned the government could face moral responsibility if deaths occur. In contrast, Conservative MP Rupert Lowe dismissed the strikers, saying he had “no sympathy” for them.

The escalating crisis has intensified political divisions over protest rights and the UK’s handling of pro-Palestinian activism, with growing public scrutiny of the government’s response.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus declared that the defeated fascist forces will never return to the country, during a televised address to the nation on Victory Day, December 16, 2025. His speech, broadcast simultaneously on BTV, Bangladesh Betar, and private channels, urged citizens to remain united and vigilant ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Yunus warned that certain groups were attempting to destabilize the country before the polls, but assured that the government had identified those involved in recent conspiracies. Referring to the critical condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, who is receiving treatment in Singapore, he said all necessary measures had been taken for his safety and care. The Chief Adviser emphasized that no one involved in violent plots would be spared.

Calling for restraint and rejecting misinformation, Yunus urged the public not to fall for provocations. He reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s democratic journey would continue despite threats, and that fascist and terrorist elements would be decisively defeated.

Police in Ranisankail, Thakurgaon, arrested former mayor and local Jubo League president Alamgir Sarkar on Monday evening under the Explosives Act. The arrest took place at his residence in Bhandara as part of the nationwide 'Devil Hunt-2' operation, which aims to detain individuals accused in various criminal cases.

Sarkar, a controversial figure, previously drew public attention for his aggressive behavior toward journalists. In 2018, he allegedly threatened a local reporter who exposed irregularities in municipal road construction and made a provocative remark about creating '21,000 journalists in one day' to counter criticism. Police confirmed that Sarkar has been sent to the Thakurgaon court following his arrest.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and the press in regional Bangladesh. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the specific charges, but the arrest underscores the government's broader crackdown on politically linked criminal activities under the current operation.

On Tuesday, marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), paid tribute at the mausoleum of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The delegation, led by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Noyon, laid floral wreaths and prayed for the martyrs of the Liberation War.

During the ceremony, Jubo Dal leaders reaffirmed their commitment to uphold democracy and national sovereignty, emphasizing Ziaur Rahman’s ideals of independence and multi-party democracy. They urged the youth to play a more active role in restoring democratic rights and protecting the spirit of the Liberation War.

The event comes amid renewed political mobilization by opposition groups ahead of upcoming national political activities, highlighting the BNP’s continued efforts to engage younger supporters through symbolic acts of remembrance and unity.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address to the nation on Bangladesh’s Victory Day 2025, where he expressed deep concern over the health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He noted that the government has been monitoring her condition closely since the beginning of her illness and reaffirmed that she remains an integral figure in the country’s political and democratic history.

Yunus emphasized that the interim government has officially recognized Khaleda Zia as a ‘state figure of special importance,’ acknowledging her contributions to Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and democratic development. He assured that all necessary medical support is being provided in accordance with her family’s wishes, including the possibility of advanced treatment abroad if required.

The statement comes amid heightened public attention to Khaleda Zia’s health and signals the interim administration’s intent to maintain a respectful and inclusive political environment during the transition period.