Islamic scholar Mamunul Haque clarified that Hefazat-e-Islam never conferred the title “Qawmi Janoni” (Mother of Qawmi) upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He asserted that the title was given by an Awami League-aligned cleric seeking political nomination, not by Hefazat. Mamunul noted that even during the Shukrana Mahfil in Hasina’s presence, many Hefazat leaders, including the late Allama Junaid Babunagari, abstained from attending.

He stressed that the event was mainly organized by Befaqul Madaris and that Hefazat’s name was used under political pressure. The issue, he said, stemmed from the long-standing demand for state recognition of Qawmi degrees.

The JUCSU elections have descended into controversy as four panels, including BNP-backed Chhatra Dal, along with five independent candidates, announced a boycott.

Chhatra Dal was the first to withdraw, citing large-scale rigging, followed by Sampriti Oikya, Sangshoptok Parishad, and Swadhin Angikar Parishad. Allegations of malpractice have also prompted three BNP-leaning teachers to resign from election duties.

Demands are now mounting for the formation of a fresh election commission and a re-announcement of the polls.

Three teachers aligned with BNP have withdrawn from the ongoing Jaksu election, citing widespread irregularities.

One of them, Nahrin Islam, alleged that indelible ink used for voting was either easily washable or not applied at all, compromising the credibility of the election. She claimed that ballot and ink procedures were bypassed, with ink being applied only after voting, often outside the polling booths.

Rejecting any link to the BNP student wing’s withdrawal, Nahrin said her repeated appeals to the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor went unanswered, forcing her to suspend voting for two hours in protest.

British MP Tulip Siddiq is facing renewed controversy as documents allegedly reveal she holds Bangladeshi citizenship, filed tax returns, and maintained a bank account in the country.

According to NBR sources, Tulip declared herself a resident of Bangladesh in official documents, allowing her to open tax files and acquire property. However, such residency requires her to have lived in the country at least 182 days a year—something officials suspect she did not.

While Tulip has consistently claimed to be a British citizen only, investigators argue the evidence proves otherwise. Legal experts suggest she could now face trial under British law for making false declarations.

Responding to allegations, Shibir-backed GS candidate Mazharul Islam clarified that the OMR forms used in JUCSU elections were supplied not by a Jamaat-linked company but by a BNP-affiliated firm.

He identified the supplier as HR Soft BD, led by Rokonuzzaman Rony, whose social media posts featured BNP leaders Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and Dr. Yunus.

“Our point is simple—what matters is whether the machines are error-free, not the political leaning of the supplier,” Mazharul said, urging an end to “false propaganda” and a focus on students’ rights.

Chhatra Dal has officially boycotted the JAKSU elections, alleging biased conduct by the Election Commission.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, GS candidate Tanzila Hossain Baishakhi accused the Commission of using ballots printed by a Jamaat-affiliated company to manipulate results. She claimed that although OMR machine counting was abandoned under pressure, the use of Jamaat-linked ballot papers continued.

Chhatra Dal expressed “strong resentment and condemnation” at what they called the Commission’s “partisan behavior” and withdrew from the polls in protest.

In a historic move, Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to cast their votes in the upcoming national elections for the first time, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin announced.

Only registered voters holding national ID cards will be eligible, and ballots will be cast via postal voting. To facilitate the process, a new app titled Postal Ballot BD is being developed. Speaking in Toronto at a program with Bangladeshi expatriates, the CEC inaugurated voter registration and NID distribution for overseas Bangladeshis, while urging them to participate actively in the electoral process.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) leader Hasan Al Mamun has accused the government of delaying both the arrest of those who attacked former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nuru and his much-needed treatment abroad.

Speaking outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday, Mamun said Nuru had sustained internal injuries to his nose and brain that required advanced overseas treatment. While expressing satisfaction with DMCH doctors, he insisted long-term care abroad was essential. Mamun alleged that the government was deliberately stalling the arrest of army personnel involved in the attack.

The Chhatra Dal-backed panel has alleged that ballot papers for the JUCSU elections were supplied by a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, raising concerns of vote rigging. VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan claimed the Election Commission bypassed standard procurement rules to source ballots and OMR machines from an obscure Jamaat-affiliated firm.

Amid mounting pressure from teachers and students, the Commission scrapped OMR-based counting and switched to manual counting. Still, Sadi said their demand for ballots from a neutral source was ignored. He further warned that Jamaat-Shibir activists had been spotted near campus, leaving general students fearful.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Chhatra Parishad (NCP), congratulated the newly elected DUCSU leaders, calling the election “a positive stride for democratic practice.”

He said the participatory and competitive polls allowed students to choose their representatives freely and expressed hope that DUCSU will become a true platform for student aspirations.

Nahid urged the new leadership to foster a democratic, academic, and violence-free environment at Dhaka University. He also extended best wishes to candidates who contested but did not win, stressing that healthy competition strengthens future leadership.

He further called for regular student union elections across all universities and colleges.

Voting at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall was briefly suspended for an hour during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections following an unexpected situation. The suspension came at around 11:30 AM on Thursday, when opposition-backed VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan entered the women’s dormitory without prior permission, sparking controversy.

Authorities halted the voting process but later resumed it around 12:30 PM. Sadi claimed he entered the hall with a teacher’s permission. Earlier in the morning, both Sadi and Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed VP candidate Arif Ullah Adib had cast their votes at Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. While casting his vote, Sadi accused the administration of providing undue advantage to a rival student group and even alleged the printing of extra ballot papers to favor certain candidates. Adib, however, expressed faith in the general student body.

Hafizur Rahman Sohan, central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was detained Thursday morning during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.

Sohan, a former English department student (2006–07 session), was found in a room of Rabindranath Tagore Hall. He claimed he had arrived the previous night and stayed due to illness, though without permission.

Hall Provost Prof. Shafiqul Islam said former students residing in halls during elections violates conduct rules, and Sohan was handed over to the university’s proctorial team. Proctor Prof. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam confirmed disciplinary action would follow.

Leaders of a Shibir-backed student coalition contesting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections paid tribute to martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War at Rayerbazar on Thursday.

The leaders said their panel’s journey officially begins with prayers at the mass grave site, pledging to uphold the aspirations of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024. Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem vowed to incorporate students’ opinions in fulfilling manifesto pledges, while GS S.M. Farhad said their work would honor the sacrifices of the martyrs.

Farhad also accused Indian media of spreading “false propaganda” on the hijab issue for political agendas.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed deep shock and condemnation over the shooting death of U.S. conservative political figure Charlie Kirk.

In a statement, Rahman described the killing as “barbaric,” adding that “a democratic society should never tolerate violence against individuals for their political beliefs or activism.” He stressed that religion, ideology, or differing viewpoints cannot justify such a heinous act.

He offered condolences and prayers for Kirk’s family and loved ones. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed grief over the killing.

On Thursday morning, the Consensus Commission initiated discussions with all major political parties regarding the implementation of the July Charter.
Representatives from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and several other parties attended. The dialogue is expected to cover issues such as ensuring free and fair elections and protecting democratic values.
The final version of the July Charter had not specified methods for its implementation, prompting the commission to hold consultations with 30 parties and alliances.