Students of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute blocked roads at Tejgaon’s Sat Rasta intersection on Wednesday morning, bringing traffic to a halt around 11 a.m.

Their seven-point demand includes scrapping the 30% promotion quota for craft instructors to junior instructor posts, canceling recent promotion rulings, revising job titles, annulling appointments made in 2021, and amending recruitment regulations.

The protest follows a similar demonstration held in the area on Tuesday afternoon.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has called for the adoption of a proportional representation (PR) system for national elections.

He argued that PR elections prevent the emergence of authoritarian governments and ensure every vote counts, enabling all political parties to gain parliamentary representation.

Rezaul Karim criticized delays in granting legal recognition to the “July Charter” and demanded its implementation before the next election. He said the charter must also include justice for the Pilkhana massacre and the Shapla Chattar killings.

At the event, he introduced Shah Iftekhar Tariq, the party’s central organizational secretary, as Islami Andolan’s candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency in the upcoming national election.

For a second consecutive day, members of the “All-Party United Committee” staged a sit-in outside the Bagerhat District Election Office demanding the reinstatement of four parliamentary constituencies.

From 9 a.m., demonstrators gathered in front of the district office and nine upazila election offices, staging rallies and processions. Protesters included leaders and activists from BNP, Jamaat, and other political parties, as well as local residents from diverse professions.

They argued that Bagerhat’s population, Mongla Port, and industrial zones justify the restoration of the four seats. The sit-in continued until 1 p.m., with organizers set to announce new programs at 3 p.m. today.

The Chinese Embassy has donated 49 computers and 49 printers to the Bangladesh Police, strengthening bilateral cooperation. On September 16, Ambassador Yao Wen handed over the gifts to IGP Baharul Alam, who expressed gratitude and highlighted China as an important development partner. The meeting also included discussions on ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals working on projects in Bangladesh. Officials from both the embassy and the police were present, emphasizing continued collaboration and mutual support between the two nations.

Shahjahan Mia, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for Chandpur-3 constituency, has called on voters to cast their ballots for the “Scale” symbol, which he described as a representation of justice and fairness. He said the step was essential to realizing the dreams of the martyrs of the July Revolution.

While campaigning in Baburhat Bazar, Shahjahan Mia interacted with local shopkeepers and traders, exchanging greetings and seeking their support ahead of the upcoming election. “The ‘Scale’ is the emblem of justice and equity. I humbly seek your prayers and cooperation,” he told locals, urging them to rally behind his candidacy.

The Congress has accused the Modi government of handing 1,050 acres of land in Bihar’s Bhagalpur to the Adani Group on a 33-year lease for just ₹1 annually. The site, with nearly one million trees, will host a 2,400 MW thermal power plant. Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged Adani would use free land, coal, and water but sell power at ₹6.75 per unit, calling it “double loot.” He also claimed farmers lost land without fair compensation. No government response yet.

Dhaka: Youth Shakti Convener Tariqul Islam has called for the inclusion of voting rights as a fundamental right in the Constitution of Bangladesh. He criticized the current Constitution, arguing that it fails to recognize people’s basic needs as fundamental rights—a shortcoming that even led two key members of the original Constituent Assembly to withhold their signatures.

Tariqul noted that only a Constituent Assembly directly elected by the people has the legitimacy to draft a Constitution. However, the 1972 Constitution was framed by representatives who had been elected under Pakistan’s authority in 1969, not by representatives chosen in independent Bangladesh. “As a result, the Constitution has failed to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people. A Constitution that does not speak to the basic needs and expectations of citizens is not the Constitution we want,” he said.

He further asserted that a new Constitution is necessary to prevent the Awami League’s return to power, pointing out that in 54 years, the word ‘Liberation War’ has not been properly enshrined in the nation’s supreme law.

Youth Shakti Member Secretary Dr. Zahedul Islam echoed these concerns, saying: “The Constitution has been mutilated over the years, leaving it distorted and disfigured. It must be thrown into the dustbin, and a new Constitution must be written for the people.”

In a chilling incident, the wife of a BNP leader was brutally hacked to death in Tangail on Tuesday night after attackers failed to locate him.

The murder occurred around 8:30 p.m. at the West Leon Bakery in the Quizzbari Bazar area. The intended target, BNP union general secretary SM Anisur Rahman (alias Uttam), was not present at the time. His wife, Lili Akhter, fell victim instead.

Tangail Sadar Police Station OC Tanvir Ahmed confirmed that her body has been sent to Tangail General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

He added that investigators are working to determine the motive:
“The reason behind the killing is not yet clear. Details will emerge once the investigation is complete.”

Jatiya Party Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud has strongly criticized calls from some political groups to ban his party, describing such demands as “undemocratic and dangerous” for Bangladesh’s political culture.

He noted with irony:
“In the past, Jatiya Party firmly opposed the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami. Yet today, it is Jamaat itself that is demanding a ban on Jatiya Party. This is both shocking and disappointing for the nation.”

Anisul stressed that the Jatiya Party has never engaged in political crimes nor created conditions that would justify its prohibition.
“Such demands are not only baseless,” he said, “but also an insult to the country’s history, traditions, and the will of the people.”

BNP leader Sarwar Alamgir has accused the ruling Awami League of a history steeped in “injustice, oppression, and land-grabbing.” Speaking at a gathering, he said,
“Awami League has done nothing but seize people’s assets, grab land from the Hindu community, and torture political opponents. That is why today they cannot face the public without shame.”

Highlighting what he described as the stark difference in treatment between political groups, Sarwar added:
“Many Awami League leaders and activists were able to flee to India; the borders were open for them. But for BNP, there is no India. For us, only the Bay of Bengal remains, where we will drown.”

He also issued a stern warning to his own party members:
“If anyone exploits BNP’s name to extort or commit wrongdoing, it will not be tolerated. Inform me, and I will personally file the case as the complainant.”

Sarwar urged party activists to remain steadfast in honesty, justice, and public trust:
“If we weaken from within, we cannot gather the strength needed to fight against the Awami League’s injustice and authoritarianism.”

Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan, has criticized the government’s recent recruitment guidelines for primary schools, which introduced a post for assistant teachers in music, and called for the appointment of religious instructors instead.

Karim stated, “Due to the declining quality of education, primary schools across the country are experiencing a drop in student enrollment. Children are facing both intellectual and moral deficits. Instead of addressing these issues, the government is hiring teachers for music.”

He added, “Parents want their children to learn Islam from an early age, and love for Islam is eternal. We demand that qualified and morally upright teachers be appointed in all primary schools immediately. If this is not done, the people may be forced to take to the streets.”

Referring to opportunities created after August 5, Karim warned, “If we fail to take advantage of this moment, future generations will condemn us. The Ulama must be made aware of their responsibilities.” He further stated, “The time has come to take a stand. Those who claim to uphold Islamic values but threaten to turn the country into a haven for extremism, or declare themselves against Islamic Sharia, cannot be supported by the Ulama without compromising their dignity.”

Dhaka University’s Syndicate has temporarily canceled the M.Phil admission of Golam Rabbani, former general secretary of the banned student organization Chhatra League, due to irregularities in his 2019 admission process. Consequently, Rabbani’s candidacy in the 2019 DUCSU election was invalid, and a university investigation committee has recommended declaring his election as General Secretary (GS) void.

The investigation report also highlighted widespread electoral irregularities, including ballot tampering, voter intimidation, artificial queue creation, unauthorized voting, and participation by non-eligible students. The report suggested further inquiry before final action.

AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad stated that certain groups are trying to portray the upcoming national elections as non-inclusive by claiming the Awami League’s absence would be problematic. However, he cited the Dhaka University (DU) Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections as evidence to the contrary.

Fuad noted that the 78% voter turnout in DUCSU elections proved that inclusive elections are possible without the participation of the Awami League, Chhatra League, or Jatiya Party. He added, “The Awami League will not return, provided we remain united and committed to upholding the spirit of the mass uprising.”

Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly refuted remarks made by Hefazat-e-Islam leader Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, who claimed that Qawmi, Deobandi, and Sunnat madrassas would not survive under a Jamaat-led government.

In a statement, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer said the claim was false and fabricated. He emphasized that Jamaat is a disciplined Islamic political party that has historically contributed to the establishment of mosques, madrassas, and orphanages across the country. Many Jamaat leaders and supporters are actively engaged in religious education through Qawmi madrassas.

Zubayer noted that there is no evidence of any Jamaat leader or worker ever opposing Qawmi, Deobandi, or Sunnat madrassas. Between 2001 and 2006, two Jamaat ministers served in the government and actively supported such madrassas. The statement called on all parties to refrain from making baseless and fabricated claims.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen held a courtesy meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami. The meeting was attended by Zhang Jing, Director of the Political Section of the Chinese Embassy, as well as Jamaat leaders Mia Golam Parwar, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, and Mahmudul Hasan.

During the discussion, both sides engaged in candid talks on issues of mutual interest. They expressed optimism that in the coming days, the economic, political, commercial, diplomatic, and friendly relations between the two countries would be further strengthened, along with continued progress in bilateral development.