At Comilla University, several student organizations are currently led by individuals who are no longer students, raising questions about transparency and legitimacy. The issue has drawn attention from central policymakers and prompted calls from current students to prioritize active students in future committees. Investigations revealed that both the university branches of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir have top leaders who have already completed their studies.

The Chhatra Dal’s convening committee, formed in June 2021, continues to operate after more than five years, led by former students from the 2007–08 and 2008–09 sessions. Similar concerns exist within the Chhatra Shibir committee, whose president and secretary also no longer hold student status. Critics allege that the inclusion of non-students, irregular members, and outsiders undermines the organizations’ credibility and deprives current students of representation.

In contrast, the Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh branch reportedly maintains a committee where most members still have student status. Current students have urged that upcoming committees include active or recently graduated members to ensure genuine student representation and accountability.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by suggesting that Venezuela could become the 51st state of the United States. The comment, made in March 2026 on social media, has drawn sharp reactions across American and international circles. While some dismissed it as humor, others viewed it as a reflection of a dangerous political mindset. Analysts noted that Trump has previously made similar remarks about Greenland, Canada, and Cuba.

Political experts and policymakers in the U.S. have largely rejected the idea as unrealistic and unconstitutional, emphasizing that incorporating a sovereign nation as a state contradicts both U.S. law and international norms. Critics argue that such rhetoric echoes early 20th-century imperialism and undermines the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter. The debate intensified following a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and Trump’s administration’s pledge to oversee the country’s oil infrastructure.

Observers warn that even symbolic statements like this can damage America’s global image and strain relations with allies. Many view Trump’s comment as politically charged rhetoric rather than a genuine policy proposal, yet it has revived concerns about U.S. interventionism in Latin America.

About six weeks after the BNP government took office in Bangladesh, the country faces a complex foreign policy environment shaped by the Iran war and global energy disruptions. The prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir is touring Middle Eastern nations to strengthen ties and assess the situation of Bangladeshi workers, while the foreign minister is scheduled to visit India next week. Earlier, a senior U.S. official visited Dhaka, reflecting Bangladesh’s active diplomatic calendar.

The new government insists its foreign policy is based on national interest rather than alignment with any specific country. However, Bangladesh’s initial statement criticizing Iran’s attacks but avoiding comment on U.S. strikes drew criticism from Tehran. Analysts note that balancing relations among the U.S., China, India, and Russia remains difficult, especially over projects like Teesta, where competing interests persist. Former diplomats and experts urge a consensus-based approach to protect national interests.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister Shama Obaid Islam emphasize that Bangladesh will prioritize its people’s welfare over external pressures, even as major powers seek to link Dhaka’s policies to their strategic agendas.

The new government of Bangladesh has intensified monitoring of attendance and punctuality among public officials, aiming to improve administrative efficiency. Following directives from the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Public Administration, all ministries, departments, and field administrations have been instructed to ensure that employees arrive and leave offices on time. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s own punctuality and regular presence at the Secretariat have reportedly inspired government staff to follow suit.

Officials across ministries have confirmed that digital attendance machines, previously underused, are now being reactivated and updated with employee IDs. The Ministry of Public Administration has also issued an 11-point directive emphasizing energy conservation, office cleanliness, and mandatory presence in offices between 9:00 and 9:40 a.m. Employees have expressed that the Prime Minister’s discipline has motivated them to maintain regular attendance and improve work pace.

The government expects these measures to restore discipline and enhance productivity across the public sector, with digital attendance systems helping to ensure transparency and accountability in daily operations.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has discussed holding its party council soon to strengthen the organization, according to Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He shared the information with journalists on Saturday night after a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee, which was chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

During the meeting, party leaders discussed organizational matters and emphasized the importance of convening the council as quickly as possible to reinforce the party’s internal structure. The committee also reviewed and evaluated the government’s 47-day program, though details of that assessment were not disclosed.

The discussion reflects BNP’s focus on internal consolidation and strategic planning as it seeks to enhance its political position in the near term.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said on Saturday, April 4, 2026, that restoring order at home and abroad is the responsibility of both the government and the opposition. Speaking as chief guest at an Eid reunion and reception in Dhaka-15, he stated that the opposition’s duty is to safeguard citizens’ rights and protest if the government fails to correct its actions. He emphasized that his party does not want fascism to return to Bangladesh.

Rahman criticized the ruling party for rejecting the results of the February 12, 2026 referendum, in which 68.1% of voters supported constitutional reforms to prevent authoritarianism. He accused the government and the BNP of abandoning their earlier commitments to reform and of disregarding the people’s mandate. He announced that Jamaat had begun a movement to uphold the referendum’s verdict.

Addressing the global energy crisis caused by attacks on Iran, Rahman said Bangladesh is facing fuel shortages and urged open dialogue to find solutions. He also opposed the suspension of physical classes for digital learning, warning that education should not suffer again as during the pandemic.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification announcing new office hours for all government and private offices in Bangladesh, effective from Sunday, April 5, 2026. According to the circular, offices will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice. The decision follows cabinet approval of the proposal on Thursday, and the official notification was released on Saturday night.

The circular specifies that emergency services will remain outside the scope of the new schedule. It also directs Bangladesh Bank to adjust the working hours of banks and financial institutions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with banking services available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Supreme Court will issue separate instructions regarding court office hours. For private sector industries and factories, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide necessary guidance in accordance with the Bangladesh Labour Act.

The new schedule aims to standardize working hours across sectors while allowing flexibility for essential and industrial operations.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for the Bogura-6 by-election, Principal Abidur Rahman, has accused ruling party activists of obstructing his campaign and creating an atmosphere of intimidation. Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaat office in Bogura city on Saturday, he claimed that the administration was not taking effective action against complaints filed by his party. Rahman alleged that BNP activists were attempting to turn the election into another 'Magura-style' event and that his campaign workers were being threatened and attacked in several unions.

He detailed incidents including threats to female workers in Shakharia Union, restrictions on campaign activities in Fapore Union, and physical assaults in Erulia. Rahman said he had submitted 15 complaints supported by video evidence but had seen no visible administrative response. He demanded strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, arrest of identified criminals, installation of CCTV cameras at polling centers, cancellation of partisan presiding officers, and deployment of the army before election day.

Rahman warned that any attempt at vote rigging would be strongly resisted, emphasizing the need for a free and fair election environment.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam stated that the July Revolution was not intended to replace one political party with another in power. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a large protest rally and procession organized by the 11-party alliance at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and protesting the ruling party’s stance against it.

ATM Azharul Islam, also an MP, said the current prime minister, home minister, cabinet members, and MPs were elected because of the July Revolution, which aimed to end fascist rule, not to establish one-party dominance. He called for constitutional reform to build a new Bangladesh and warned that Jamaat would take to the streets if the government acted against the people. Other alliance leaders, including those from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, National Citizen Party, and Liberal Democratic Party, criticized the BNP for rejecting the referendum results and accused the government of ignoring public will.

Speakers at the rally emphasized that implementing the July Charter and respecting the referendum outcome were essential to prevent authoritarianism and ensure accountability in governance.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that 70 percent of beneficiaries selected under the previous government’s aid programs were fake and that the current administration is working to correct this. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Dinajpur Shishu Academy auditorium during a check distribution ceremony for private orphanages and ashrams organized by the Dinajpur District Administration and the Department of Social Services.

The minister urged those responsible for orphanages to care for children as their own and instructed officials at all levels to conduct regular field visits to ensure proper treatment of orphans. He emphasized that no mistreatment of orphaned children would be tolerated. Dr. Hossain also reaffirmed that the BNP government would faithfully implement its election manifesto and the national charter signed at the Parliament’s South Plaza, which he described as a national document.

He added that the government is working to rehabilitate orphaned children through proper care, education, and training so they can integrate into mainstream society.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with the newly appointed administrators of 14 district councils on Saturday evening at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The information was confirmed by Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the party’s media cell.

Earlier, on March 30, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had met with the newly appointed administrators of 42 districts. The latest meeting marks a continuation of his engagement with local administrative leadership following recent appointments.

The meeting reflects the Prime Minister’s ongoing efforts to coordinate with district-level administrators, though details of the discussions or decisions taken were not disclosed in the report.

Senior lawyer Shishir Monir said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decision to repeal several important ordinances goes against the public interest. He expressed his remarks on Saturday at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Implementation of the July Charter’ organized by Nexus for Defense and Justice at the National Press Club.

Monir questioned why the BNP was withdrawing from the reform process, saying it was difficult to understand their reasoning. He emphasized that the people had already given their historic verdict through a referendum, and there was no scope for manipulation of that decision. He argued that if government or constitutional institutions publish their audit reports online for public access, there should be no objection from the authorities.

He further stated that citizens have the right to know how much money is spent in the Supreme Court and in elections. Monir warned that declaring all ordinances void while expecting the public to remain passive would not be acceptable in the country.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of disrespecting the nation by avoiding the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council and disregarding the referendum. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during an eleven-party alliance protest rally held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka.

At the same rally, National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain said all political parties had agreed on constitutional reform rather than amendment, alleging that BNP avoided the referendum to keep state power concentrated in one person’s hands. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque added that BNP’s politics was opportunistic and warned that people would take to the streets if the party ignored public opinion.

Following the speeches, thousands of activists joined a procession led by eleven-party alliance leaders that started from Baitul Mukarram and proceeded through Paltan and Nightingale intersections.

Iran has expressed interest in enhancing bilateral diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries, according to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Ghalibaf stated that Iran was prepared for ongoing conflicts and had already demonstrated its defense capabilities. He described the current war as Israel’s war, saying that the resulting security crisis and damage had affected the entire world.

Ghalibaf said Iran was compelled to target U.S. bases and interests to maintain its regional presence. He warned that any escalation against Iran would trigger a “widespread and severe” response against U.S. regional interests. He emphasized that ensuring regional security was in the interest of all countries involved and that sustainable security remained Iran’s priority.

The speaker added that regional nations could protect their interests through bilateral and multilateral security agreements without foreign interference. He identified the United States and Israel as the main sources of regional instability and said lasting security could only be achieved by eliminating their influence.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called on former chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to join street protests to preserve the reforms introduced during the interim government. Speaking to reporters at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday after returning from performing Umrah, Nahid said those who once held interim government responsibilities must now speak out against the repeal of their ordinances.

He accused the current BNP government of ignoring reform commitments and acting autocratically after gaining a two-thirds majority. Nahid alleged that the BNP is refusing to turn key ordinances—such as those on enforced disappearance prevention, the Human Rights Commission, and judicial appointments—into law, thereby undermining democratic accountability. He also reminded the BNP that many of its leaders had been victims of disappearances and warned that repealing such measures would tarnish the party’s image.

Nahid stated that since parliamentary solutions have failed, his party will take to the streets to demand a constitutional reform council and legal recognition of the ordinances. He warned that without public trust, the BNP government would struggle to govern amid looming economic challenges.