State Minister for Social Welfare Barrister Farzana Sharmin said anti-fascist forces are attempting to make the July mass uprising controversial. She made the remarks on Thursday in Dhaka while speaking as chief guest at the opening of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Debating Society’s Inter-Hall Debate Competition 2026.

Sharmin said the uprising was the outcome of a collective effort by pro-democracy political parties, students and the public, and that no individual could claim sole credit. She said competition over credit was harming the uprising’s momentum. She also said fascism had been removed but its roots had not been fully uprooted, and called for respect for the government elected by public vote.

Debate for Democracy chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said democracy’s strength lies in accepting others’ views to reach correct decisions. He described the July uprising as an expression of accumulated grievances and a symbol of unity, warning that divisions could allow hostile forces to re-emerge. University vice chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Latif and other officials also addressed the event.

Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddique said speculation or announcements about Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh are harming innocent Awami League leaders and activists. He made the remarks on Thursday in Kishoreganj after visiting the grave of Aminul Islam Tarek, president of the district Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Siddique said unplanned announcements of this kind are creating legal and political complications for party workers. Referring to rumours that Hasina may return in December, he said many Awami League activists were being jailed and facing legal difficulties rather than being encouraged. He said a planned announcement could have motivated the party’s leaders and workers.

On Dr Muhammad Yunus, Siddique said that even a trial would be insufficient for the damage he alleged Yunus had caused to the country. He described BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s respect for Yunus at a July Day event as part of political culture. Siddique also said the current government was running the country better than during Professor Yunus’s time despite national and international crises. He called Jamaat-e-Islami an unfortunate party and criticised its historical positions.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed said India must decide the direction of Bangladesh-India relations. She made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Thursday evening in response to comments made by Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister and death-sentenced accused Sheikh Hasina at a news conference in Delhi on August 5.

Obayed said she believed that the people and governments of both countries want Bangladesh-India relations to improve. However, she said concern would arise among Bangladeshis if people and leaders of the Awami League whom she described as authoritarian, fascist and convicted continue what she called conspiratorial activities from Indian soil, and if the Indian government does not stop them.

She said relations between the two countries are multidimensional and that various issues should be resolved through discussion. According to Obayed, India now has to decide whether it will allow what she described as authoritarian, fascist and convicted individuals to make statements.

Jagpa vice-president and spokesperson Rashed Pradhan alleged that the Awami League was directly responsible and India indirectly responsible for what he described as killings in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday as chief guest after a Jagpa protest rally from Bijoynagar to the Press Club, held against India’s alleged dominance and its reported two-year sheltering of “killer Hasina” with state honours.

Pradhan said the Indian government had used the Awami League to turn Bangladesh into a tributary state and now wanted to use the BNP after the Awami League’s defeat following the July uprising. He alleged that the Awami League and India were responsible for incidents at Pilkhana, Shapla Chattar, the anti-Modi movement and July. He also said Bangladeshi politicians feared speaking against Indian dominance because of hopes for power.

He accused India of border killings, illegal push-ins, withholding Bangladesh’s fair share of water from 54 shared rivers, and interfering in domestic politics and national elections. Pradhan also alleged a plot to destabilise Bangladesh through the Awami League from Delhi. Several Jagpa leaders addressed the event.

Students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, continued protests on August 6 over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with their movement entering its 13th day after beginning on July 25. They demand cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission civil service examination, a CBI probe into the alleged question-paper leak and examination scandal, and broad reforms to examination procedures. They also seek a fixed deadline for a re-examination within six months if the test is cancelled.

JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum spokesperson Jiban Kumar said five people, including two women, had joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and increase pressure for their demands. Six protesters are continuing an indefinite fast. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahato has fasted since August 2, and concerns have been raised over his falling blood sugar and blood pressure.

The BJP said it would raise the issue in the assembly, while Congress, an ally of the JMM-led government, expressed support for the students. Student leaders warned of an assembly gherao on August 10 if demands are unmet. Ranchi authorities imposed Section 144 within a 750-metre radius of the assembly from August 6 to 12. CID investigators have arrested 19 people and questioned former JPSC chairman L. Khiyangte.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for electing the country’s 23rd president after the 22nd president, Md Shahabuddin, resigned on July 24. Voting is scheduled for August 20. The deadline for submitting nominations is August 13, scrutiny will take place on August 16, and the final date for withdrawing candidacy is August 18.

Under Article 50 of the constitution, a president serves for five years from the date of assuming office, and no person may hold the office more than twice. The Election Commission arranges a presidential election when the office becomes vacant because of the end of a term, resignation or impeachment. A vacancy may also arise because of physical illness, mental reasons or serious misconduct.

The president is elected by votes of members of parliament under the current constitutional framework. Candidates must be at least 35 years old and eligible to be elected as members of parliament. The chief election commissioner conducts the election after consulting the speaker. If there is only one candidate, no vote is required. If parliament is not in session, a notification will be issued to convene it at least seven days before voting.

Indigenous rights activists called for Bangladesh’s constitution to replace the terms “tribal” and “ethnic group” in Article 23A with “indigenous.” The demand was made on August 6 at a seminar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, jointly organized by the Association for Land Reform and Development, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum and 17 national rights-based organizations. The seminar, titled “Indigenous Peoples: Life, Land Rights and Respect for Culture,” was chaired by ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda.

In a keynote paper, human rights activist Ilira Dewan recommended immediately activating the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission, creating a separate land commission for indigenous people in the plains, and establishing a national directorate for indigenous rights under the Prime Minister’s Office. She also urged rules protecting indigenous life and culture before tourism expansion, priority hiring of indigenous women health workers, and full implementation of the peace accord.

Speakers sought constitutional recognition, legal recognition of customary land ownership, a parliamentary indigenous affairs caucus, and indigenous representation in development projects. They said the land commission has received more than 27,000 applications under the 1997 peace accord, but meetings have not been held because of opposition from interested groups.

Sunamganj-2 lawmaker Nasir Chowdhury said the Awami League is not an enemy but an ally, stating that they had fought together. He made the remarks on Wednesday as chief guest at a “July Remembrance Rally” in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj. Chowdhury described the event as the BNP’s main rally.

He said those seeking to hold a separate rally in the BNP’s name on August 8 were attempting to create division within the party, and urged people to remain alert. Responding to what he called propaganda against him, Chowdhury said people unable to use the party’s name for theft and corruption were spreading false claims about him.

Addressing allegations of embezzling large sums, he said those making such claims should be asked how much budget had actually been allocated. He suggested obtaining information from the upazila executive officer if necessary. Upazila BNP convener Amir Hossain chaired the event, while municipal BNP joint convener Faruk Sardar moderated it. Leaders from the BNP and its affiliated organizations also spoke at the rally.

Sarjis Alam, northern chief organiser of the National Citizen Party, responded to Liberation War Affairs State Minister Ishraq Hossain by listing measures he said the interim government took for July martyrs and injured fighters. On August 6, at a reception and discussion event at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Ishraq asked the NCP what it had done for the July martyrs.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Sarjis said the interim government had carried out several notable actions despite more than 2,000 movements in one and a half years and without unconditional backing from any political party. His infographic said the measures taken over 18 months and nine days included the announcement of a death verdict for Sheikh Hasina, converting Ganabhaban into a July Memorial Museum, and drafting the July Charter.

The list also included building July martyrs’ memorials in every district, preparing lists of martyrs and injured people, and providing one-time payments and monthly honorariums. Sarjis cited treatment arrangements for more than 20,000 injured people, arrests of 36 former ministers and 43 MPs of the banned Awami League, and strict action against alleged bank looters including the president, Sobhan and S Alam. He asked what new steps Ishraq and his ministry had taken in about six months.

The government has appointed new secretaries to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications on Thursday afternoon. The reshuffle involved the transfer of two serving secretaries and the promotion of two additional secretaries to secretary-level posts.

Mohammad Saiful Islam, secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, was appointed secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Md Obaidur Rahman, a secretary attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, was posted as secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

Md Ziaul Haque, an additional secretary at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, was promoted and appointed secretary of that division. Miz Jesmin Nahar, an additional secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, was promoted to secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. Md Sakhawat Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, was attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

Jagannath University has formed a four-member committee to investigate allegations that 68 teachers were involved in “anti-state secret activities.” The university administration created the panel after allegations were raised in a recent media report, according to information from the registrar’s office on Thursday, August 6.

History professor Nasir Ahmad has been appointed convener of the committee. Chemistry professor Muhammad Jamir Hossain and political science associate professor Md. Mejbah-ul-Azam Saudagar are members, while registrar’s office section officer (Grade-2) Moha. Abdul Malek will serve as member secretary.

The administration has instructed the committee to submit its report by August 13. It has been tasked with determining the facts behind the allegations, identifying whether anyone was involved in anti-state activities, deciding necessary measures and making recommendations. The media report alleged that the teachers were involved in suppressing the anti-discrimination student movement and threatening students during the previous government’s tenure. Immediate comments from the accused teachers were not available.

Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser A K M Shamsul Islam said migration management is not only an issue of the economy, employment or labour markets, but is directly linked to internal stability, border security, humanitarian protection and overall national security. He made the remarks on Thursday as chief guest at a seminar on national security and migration management in Bangladesh at Bangladesh University of Professionals in Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.

He said the concept of security is no longer confined to protecting state territory and geographical borders. Safe movement of people, lawful employment, orderly border-crossing procedures, and protection of the rights and dignity of citizens living abroad are now important components of national security. Failure to ensure safe, orderly and planned migration could create multidimensional challenges for domestic stability, border management and regional security, he said.

The adviser said remittance income makes an important contribution to Bangladesh’s economy. He called for developing skilled manpower, expanding lawful and safe migration opportunities, and ensuring knowledge, training and protection for people travelling abroad. He also stressed effective coordination among relevant institutions to prevent irregular migration, fraud, human trafficking and activities by international criminal networks.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina answered journalists’ questions by audio after an expected video press conference appearance did not take place, according to the report. Subrata Acharya, editor of Indian outlet Prothom Kolkata, questioned how much people would trust Hasina’s declaration that she would return to Bangladesh by December. He made the comments in a Facebook video message on Wednesday night.

Acharya said many viewers had joined Facebook expecting to see Hasina directly on video after two years. Pro-Awami League media outlets had also said she would join virtually and answer reporters’ questions. He said live viewership was about 206,000 when Hasina began speaking, but fell by roughly 44,000 to 162,000 within 10 minutes after viewers realized she was not on video.

Hasina faced journalists on August 5 at an event of the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia in Delhi, attended by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and several Awami League figures. Acharya said her return pledge, despite stated risks of arrest, imprisonment or threats to her life, appeared to be a political message because no clear legal, organizational or security plan had been presented.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the 11-party alliance would continue its movement until its demands are met. He made the remarks as chief guest at a sit-in at Muktangan in the capital on Thursday, organized to protest public hardship and rising prices of oil, gas and essential goods. He said the alliance’s 11-point agenda was intended to protect the rights of 180 million people.

The alliance called for implementation of the referendum verdict, removal of discrimination, lower and controlled fuel prices, relief from public suffering, control of commodity prices, and accountability for killings and alleged asset looting. Rahman demanded withdrawal of increased LPG prices and urged the government not to raise gas prices. NCP convener Nahid Islam alleged that the government had failed to supply gas and electricity. Other speakers also raised concerns about energy shortages, prices, employment and campus conditions.

The alliance announced long marches from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, Rangpur on September 19, Khulna on October 10, and Sylhet by rail on October 24, followed by a Dhaka rally on November 14. A march toward the Secretariat was stopped by police barricades. After waiting nearly 45 minutes without a ministry representative arriving, the program ended around 1:30pm.

Leaders and activists of an 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), marched toward the Secretariat on Thursday after a sit-in programme. They cited alleged fuel and gas shortages, ghost electricity bills and price increases, deteriorating law and order, and rising prices of essential goods. Police prevented them from advancing, after which they remained outside the Secretariat for some time. Jamaat ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and NCP convener Nahid Islam addressed the gathering.

Nahid alleged that Tarique Rahman’s government had broken successive promises during its five months in power. He said it had not formed a constitutional reform council in line with the referendum mandate and had not implemented the July Charter. He also alleged that the government had created artificial shortages of gas, electricity and water, which he described as basic public needs.

Speaking earlier at the sit-in, Nahid said the government had completely failed in five months. He alleged it could not provide gas or electricity, control commodity prices, or ensure any employment despite its promise. The 11-party alliance has announced division-based long marches starting on September 5, demanding implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum verdict.