BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on the international community to condemn and pressure Israel over its settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement, Tarique wrote: “This expansion will make the possibility of a Palestinian state nearly impossible. The ongoing assault on Palestinian people, land, and culture is not just genocide—it is a deliberate ethnic cleansing.”

Expressing concern for Bangladeshis living and working in the Middle East, he warned that Israel’s actions under Netanyahu threaten regional stability. He further urged the International Court of Justice to expedite trials on Gaza atrocities.

In a major political shift, Al Amin Khan, General Secretary of Jatiya Party’s Nazirpur upazila unit, and Md. Israfil Hawlader, joint convener of the BNP’s volunteer wing, have joined Jamaat-e-Islami as associate members.

The announcement came during a representatives’ meeting attended by Jamaat leader Masud Saidi. Around 40–50 other supporters also joined. Declaring his allegiance, Israfil Hawlader said, “BJP’s ideology is not rooted in Islam. I want to dedicate my life to upholding Islam, which is why I have joined Jamaat.”

India’s former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has issued a stern warning against Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the group remains a threat to regional stability.

Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi, Shringla said: “A leopard does not change its spots, and Jamaat will not change its character.” He emphasized that while India is committed to working with any neighboring government, vigilance is necessary against forces hostile to India’s core interests.

Khelafat Andolon has called for the government to scrap its decision to recruit dance and music teachers for primary schools and instead appoint qualified religious and moral education teachers.

Speaking on the issue, party leader Mujaibur Rahman Hamidi argued that 90 percent of primary school students come from Muslim families yet lack basic Quranic and Islamic knowledge. “A government that cannot ensure Quran education for Muslim children cannot force dance and music upon them,” he warned, urging authorities to recruit trained Islamic scholars for religious and ethical instruction.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of the AB Party, has declared that no national election will be accepted without the implementation of the July Charter.

He proposed a referendum or a constituent assembly election if necessary, insisting that the sacrifices of students in the July Movement must not be wasted.

Fuad accused major political parties, including the BNP, of failing to grasp the youth’s aspirations during the JUCSU elections. “Traditional politics, extortion, and muscle power have been defeated. If mainstream parties fail to understand this generational demand, they will pay a heavy price in the future,” he warned.

He also criticized selective constitutional arguments from opposition parties, asking why they remained silent when at least 50 constitutional provisions had already been violated.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has stressed that elections are the only path to democratic progress, warning against attempts to derail the upcoming polls.

“Some groups are inventing excuses to block the election. But democracy has no alternative to elections. If elections are delayed, authoritarian forces will take advantage,” he said.

Dudu urged BNP supporters to remain united, declaring that the decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democracy will come in February 2026. He also insisted that only the Zia family can safeguard the country’s future.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded the resignation of two student representatives from the advisory council of the interim government before the election schedule is announced, citing concerns over impartiality.

He accused the Awami League of fueling unrest and said the growing political crisis could plunge the nation into deep uncertainty. “The Awami League has a history of terrorism. Sheikh Hasina’s attempts to derail the election are nothing new. But this time, the people will resist, and her party will be wiped out,” he warned.

Fakhrul also criticized Hasina’s recent remarks in India, calling them harmful to the Awami League’s credibility. “If she had instead admitted past mistakes and promoted capable leaders to lead politics forward, the country would have been better off,” he added.

Tanvir Bari Hamim, who contested for the position of General Secretary in the JUCSU election and secured 5,283 votes, has admitted his fault in a heated exchange with Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Monami on election day.

Speaking on a YouTube talk show Face the People alongside Monami, Hamim said, “At the time, she was acting as an administrator, and I spoke to her in that capacity. But she is also my teacher. As a student, I should not have spoken in that manner. I have always felt sorry for it.”

He clarified that allegations of bias were directed at the overall election process, not specifically at Monami. He further pledged organizational action if any activist with proven affiliation was found spreading falsehoods against her.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has strongly criticized the JUCSU election, claiming that an election which draws controversy should never be held.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “It is not just Chhatra Dal; the boycott by other panels also signals deeper issues behind this election.”

Zahid described the election as a “mockery” designed to rehabilitate autocracy. He alleged that conspiracies are underway to push Bangladesh backward and obstruct democracy.

“Exiled autocrats and anti-national forces are working together to derail the democratic journey. I call upon the election organizers to refrain from creating further division,” he added.

BNP leader Rumeen Farhana has sharply criticized the recent JUCSU elections, citing reports of vote-rigging, ballot stuffing, and administrative failures.

“Throughout the day, discussions revolved around irregularities. Panels from Chhatra Dal and Shibir held press conferences, and three teachers boycotted the election. The same allegations kept surfacing,” Rumeen said.

She pointed to discrepancies such as excess ballot papers. “One hall had 299 registered voters, yet 400 ballot papers were supplied. Officials admitted 10–20% more ballots were printed. Even the promised photo-based voter list was never prepared,” she noted.

Farhana emphasized that dissatisfaction was not limited to one student panel: “It’s not just Chhatra Dal. Other panels also believe this election lacked transparency and that the administration failed its duty.”

According to her, BNP’s decision to reject the election results rests on clear grounds: “Whether people see it as valid reasoning or an excuse is ultimately up to public judgment.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Islami Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam have expressed deep sorrow at the sudden death of Jahangirnagar University Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous Moumita.

The assistant professor of the Department of Fine Arts passed away unexpectedly during the vote-counting process at the university.

In a Facebook post, the Jamaat chief prayed for the departed soul and conveyed condolences to her grieving family. “May Allah forgive her, grant her a place in paradise, and give strength to her loved ones to endure this loss,” he wrote.

The Shibir president echoed similar sentiments, praying for her forgiveness and offering sympathy to her family, colleagues, and students.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations on charges of preparing for an unauthorized “flash rally.”

The arrests were made Thursday in the city’s Darussalam area.

Those detained include Al Amin (32), Akkas Mia (52), Sohag Majhi (38), Nesar Mia (48), Yusuf Ali (48), Faruk Hossain (47), Mokbul Mridha (54), Manik Mia (38), Md. Shahin (50), Md. Nayeem (25), Emdadul Haque (37), and Abdul Alim (22).

Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees and others involved in planning the rally.

The Jahangirnagar University Teachers and Students Unity Forum (Bagchas) have described the JUCSU and hall union elections as “flawed” but has decided to accept the results to safeguard democratic practice and balance of power on campus.

Bagchas leaders announced the decision at 2 AM Friday. GS candidate Abu Touhid said, “The fact that the election happened at all is a positive step. Thousands of students voted despite adverse conditions, and we salute them. For that reason, we will not boycott the results.”

However, VP candidate Arifuzzaman Ujjal criticized the election commission for poor preparation, citing nomination disputes, ballot mismanagement, lack of transparency in drug test results, and security lapses. He alleged that some ballot papers lacked permanent ink, allowing tampering.

Both Shibir- and Chhatra Dal-backed panels were also accused of repeatedly violating the electoral code of conduct.

Vote counting is underway in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, with results expected Friday.

Overnight, more than 500 supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir gathered outside the university gates, closely monitoring developments. One supporter said, “If Shibir performs well here after winning DUCSU, it will have nationwide implications. We are here out of enthusiasm and will leave once results are announced.”

Around 2 AM, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka-19 MP candidate, Maulana Afzal Hossain, also briefly appeared at the main gate before leaving on a motorbike, though his associates remained.

University proctor Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam said he was unaware of the gathering but had instructed the security team to look into the matter.

A delegation from the National Committee for the People (NCP) has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where they were warmly greeted with flowers by members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

The delegation, which departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon, landed at Narita International Airport at 6:30 AM local time Friday. Members include Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam.

During their visit, the team will attend community events in Tokyo and Osaka, meet NCP supporters, and hold discussions with Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan regarding expatriate challenges and opportunities.