Members of the Rajshahi University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir held a photo session beside a wall writing by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) that read “Ban secret politics” on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, near the university’s central library. The event followed recent tensions between the two student groups over similar wall writings at Chattogram City College.

Tajul Islam, the unit’s Dawah secretary and vice president of Motihar Hall Students’ Union, said Shibir’s activities were open and public, citing their involvement in career guidance events, publication festivals, and medical camps. He argued that Shibir had never engaged in secret politics and criticized those who, according to him, had operated secretly for years or from abroad. Unit president Mujahid Faisal stated they took photos beside the wall out of appreciation for the effort and agreed that politics should be conducted openly within the country.

The photo session came a day after JCD members held a protest march demanding a ban on what they called “secret politics” by Jamaat-Shibir on campus.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited journalist Imran Hossain, a staff reporter of the newspaper Amar Desh, at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. He inquired about Imran’s condition and later told reporters that the journalist would need time to fully recover, expressing wishes for his good health and long life.

Imran Hossain was injured in a road accident on March 25 in the Barobari area of Gazipur after being hit by a car. He was initially treated in the orthopedic surgery department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to the old burn unit, where he underwent surgery. His recovery process is ongoing under medical supervision.

The visit by the NCP spokesperson highlights continuing concern for the journalist’s health following the accident and his ongoing treatment at the hospital.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said there are still opportunities for appeal and writ petitions regarding the suspension of Monira Sharmin’s candidacy for a reserved women’s seat in parliament. He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved through proper legal procedures. Asif made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while visiting injured journalist Imran Hossain at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

He explained that the issue surrounding Monira Sharmin’s eligibility involves a three-year restriction related to government employment, not matters such as loan default or foreign citizenship. Asif also stated that the party maintains confidence in the Election Commission’s decision. Earlier, the Election Commission suspended Monira Sharmin’s candidacy until 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a person is ineligible to become a Member of Parliament within three years of resigning or retiring from any government or statutory body position.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed outrage in the Bangladesh Parliament after a ruling party member allegedly used threatening and unparliamentary language during a session. Speaking on Wednesday during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Rahman said the remarks had hurt the opposition and questioned whether the MP was inciting public disorder. He demanded that the comments be expunged from the parliamentary record.

The Speaker, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, responded that the matter would be reviewed and any unparliamentary words would be removed if found. He added that certain expressions were part of Bangladesh’s political discourse and urged members not to interrupt while others were speaking. The incident occurred during a session where BNP MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan had sharply criticized the opposition while participating in the debate.

The Speaker’s assurance to examine the language suggests that a procedural review may follow to determine whether the remarks violated parliamentary norms.

A political debate erupted in Europe after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned Turkey alongside Russia and China in a recent speech. Speaking at an event in Hamburg marking the 80th anniversary of the German newspaper Die Zeit, von der Leyen reaffirmed her support for European Union enlargement and said Europe must build a more unified geopolitical stance. Her comment that Europe should remain free from the influence of Russia, Turkey, or China drew immediate criticism.

Members of the European Parliament Rudy Kennes and Marc Botenga warned that such remarks risk dividing the world into opposing blocs and ignoring the reality of a multipolar global order. In an interview with Anadolu, Kennes linked the statement to broader geopolitical tensions involving the United States and its allies, arguing that Western influence is declining in a multipolar world.

The European Commission later clarified that Turkey remains an important partner for the EU, citing cooperation on migration management, economic ties, and strategic connectivity through the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has requested members of parliament not to address him as 'His Excellency' during parliamentary sessions. The request came on Wednesday, April 22, during the question-and-answer session of the National Parliament, when Moulvibazar-2 MP Md. Shawkatul Islam used the term while addressing him. The Prime Minister politely asked that the phrase not be used again in future addresses. His remark was met with table-thumping approval from other MPs present in the chamber.

Earlier, MP Shawkatul Islam, representing the BNP, had begun his question by apologizing for his voice condition and expressing his honor in being able to directly question the Prime Minister. He then inquired about the government’s initiatives concerning public health. The exchange took place in a formal parliamentary setting, reflecting the Prime Minister’s emphasis on modest and respectful communication norms.

The session also included discussions on other national matters, including energy problem-solving committees and reports on education sector corruption, though these were separate from the Prime Minister’s request.

In Chattogram, the weekly public hearing led by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah has evolved into a trusted platform for citizens seeking assistance. Held every Wednesday, the event allows residents from across the district to present grievances and requests directly to the DC, who often provides immediate financial or material support. During the latest session, 74 applicants were heard, with nine ill individuals and one student receiving cash aid, while 48 impoverished men and women were given relief packages containing essential food items.

The hearing featured several cases of vulnerable individuals, including single mothers, patients with chronic illnesses, and families in financial distress. The DC personally responded to each case, offering direct help and instructing officials for prompt action. Applicants expressed satisfaction with the compassionate and responsive approach, saying it has built public confidence in the administration.

According to district officials, the initiative has grown beyond a routine administrative process into a humanitarian effort that reflects the district administration’s commitment to citizen welfare and responsive governance.

A protest march and rally were held in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon by the Dhaka South unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The demonstration was organized to protest attacks on teachers, students, and Shibir activists at Chittagong Government City College, to demand justice for the killing of Tejgaon College student Sakibul Hasan Rana, and to denounce ongoing acts of violence across the country. The procession began at Dainik Bangla intersection and concluded with a brief rally at the National Press Club.

The event was led by Dhaka South unit president Hafez Delwar Hossain, with central office secretary Azizur Rahman Azad attending as chief guest. Other central leaders, including literary secretary Saidul Islam, publication secretary Amirul Islam, and JOCSU vice president Riazul Islam, were also present. In his speech, Azad condemned the recent attack on students and teachers in Chittagong, alleging involvement of Chhatra Dal activists, and demanded punishment for those responsible and government support for the injured.

Azad also referenced the earlier killing of Tejgaon College student Sakibul Hasan Rana, calling for immediate justice. He criticized both Chhatra Dal and BNP for alleged attempts to rehabilitate banned political groups before elections.

A protest meeting organized by Bangladesh Political Thinker (BPT) was held on Wednesday at the National Press Club in Dhaka, demanding an end to the harassment of citizens under the controversial Digital Security Act. The event was chaired by BPT coordinator Engineer Md. Nur Nabi and attended by several speakers including Jamal Uddin, Rayhan Chowdhury, and Zafar Ahmed.

In his address, Nur Nabi stated that six citizens had been arrested in the past month for posting or sharing content critical of the government on social media, describing the arrests as a sign of attempts to suppress free expression. He accused the authorities of using law enforcement to detain critics under Section 54 and of fostering a culture of fear by allowing attacks on dissenters’ homes and offices. The speakers urged the government to immediately stop such actions and protect citizens’ freedom of speech.

The meeting was also attended by July Movement activist Arif Billah and former student leader Morshed Alam, among others.

Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march and rally in Sylhet on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, condemning an alleged attack by Chhatra Dal in Chattogram, nationwide acts of violence, and recent increases in fuel and gas prices. The march began at Court Point and concluded with a rally in front of the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar.

During the rally, Shibir’s central executive member and Sylhet city president Shahidul Islam Saju accused the ruling party of misusing power and ignoring the contributions of students in the July uprising. He claimed that within 50 days of assuming power, the government had failed to control killings, terrorism, and price hikes. Saju also criticized restrictions on freedom of speech and alleged manipulation of commodity prices through illegal syndicates.

The event was conducted by Sylhet city secretary Abu Taher Md. Fahim, with additional speeches from Shibir leaders representing Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Sylhet district units.

BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir announced that secret political activities will no longer be tolerated on any campus in Bangladesh. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon at a protest rally near New Market in Chattogram City College, he said politics must be conducted openly. The event was organized to protest an alleged attack on JCD members by Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Nasir claimed that armed individuals wearing helmets and masks involved in the Chattogram clash were Shibir activists, accusing them of spreading misinformation by labeling them as JCD members. He warned that any attempt to blame JCD for violence through covert politics would be resisted by students. Nasir also alleged that Shibir had infiltrated the NCP and that recent NCP nominations for reserved women’s seats included members of the secret Shibir network.

The protest was chaired by Chattogram Metropolitan JCD Convener Saiful Alam and attended by other city and district JCD leaders. Nasir reiterated that JCD activists, alongside general students, would prevent any future secret political operations on campuses.

The Bangladesh government has compulsorily retired 13 police officers holding the ranks of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Additional DIG, citing provisions under the Government Service Act, 2018. The decision was confirmed through a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, signed by Senior Secretary Md. Mahbubur Rashid. The order stated that the officers would receive retirement benefits as per regulations.

According to the circular, the officers were known for their close association with the ruling Awami League government and were previously accused of involvement in suppressing opposition political parties. Following the July 2024 mass uprising, they had been transferred to various posts across the country. The list includes officers from units such as the Anti-Terrorism Unit, Tourist Police, Industrial Police, and Police Telecom.

The government’s move marks a significant administrative reshuffle within the police force, reflecting continued post-uprising adjustments in key law enforcement positions.

Exit polls for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election will be released 30 minutes after the final phase of voting on April 29, covering 142 constituencies, following the first phase on April 23 for 152 seats. Alongside Bengal, exit poll results for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will also be published. The contest in West Bengal remains primarily between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Suvendu Adhikari, with the Left Front and Congress as other participants.

According to the report, past exit polls in West Bengal have shown mixed accuracy. In 2016, they broadly predicted a TMC victory but underestimated its margin. In 2019, they captured the BJP’s rise but not the exact seat distribution. In 2021, most polls suggested a close race, yet the TMC won a landslide with 213 seats. The general pattern indicates that while exit polls often identify the winning party correctly, they frequently misjudge the scale of victory.

This historical inconsistency raises questions about the reliability of upcoming 2026 exit polls, especially given the high-stakes TMC–BJP rivalry and administrative concerns noted in the report.

Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march in Lakshmipur on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, condemning recent attacks by Chhatra Dal and the rising cost of essential goods. The procession began in the Uttar Temuhani area and moved through several city streets before concluding with a brief rally at Dakshin Temuhani.

During the rally, speakers alleged that incidents of violence and disorder had increased across the country, disrupting the normal environment in educational institutions. They strongly condemned these acts and demanded that those responsible be brought under the law. The speakers also urged the authorities to ensure a peaceful and secure academic atmosphere.

Leaders and activists of the Lakshmipur city unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir participated in the demonstration, including city president Abdul Awal Hamdu, secretary Ismail Hossain Fayzal, office secretary Junaid Hossain Khan, and college affairs and law secretary Sarwar Hossain.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Saiful Alam Milon, representing Dhaka-12, told Parliament on Wednesday that WASA-supplied water in Dhaka is foul-smelling and contains insects, making it undrinkable. He raised the issue during a discussion on urgent public importance, urging the minister to take special measures to address the problem.

Milon also highlighted four major problems faced by Dhaka residents, including waterlogging caused by the closure of natural canals. He cited examples of water accumulation in areas such as Dhanmondi, Bijoy Sarani, and Panthapath, where blocked canals have worsened flooding during the monsoon. He called for immediate steps to resolve the issue.

The MP further criticized poor waste management and outdated gas lines across the city, urging the prime minister’s assistance to improve waste disposal and repair old gas pipelines that have caused widespread inconvenience in Dhaka.