Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the NCP, expressed solidarity with KUET students protesting for the resignation of the vice-chancellor. “The consequences of mocking student concerns were seen during the July 2024 uprising,” he wrote. He urged the authorities to promptly meet the students’ demands. The students’ hunger strike has surpassed 24 hours, with several already falling ill from heatstroke and other conditions.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed stated that reform discussions have caused confusion, but the party is examining each proposal thoroughly. He emphasized that state reforms require national consensus, not rushed decisions. The party is finalizing its stance on constitutional reform and initiating discussions on judiciary independence, judicial appointments, and the creation of a separate secretariat for the judiciary.

The appeal hearing of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, sentenced to death for war crimes, has been deferred to May 6. The decision was made by a four-judge Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed. Azhar’s lawyers Ehsan Abdullah Siddiqui and Shishir Monir requested the delay.

Following an Anti-Corruption Commission petition, a court has frozen 12 bank accounts, 18 company shares, and two vehicles owned by former minister Tipu Munshi and his wife Malbika Munshi. The court also ordered the seizure of properties in Uttara, Rangpur, and Gulshan. The ACC alleges the couple amassed Tk 59 million in assets disproportionate to known income sources, abusing public office for personal gain.

Labour Party MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq once told a journalist in 2017, “I am not Bangladeshi; I’m a British MP.” However, official records show otherwise. Tulip holds a Bangladeshi National ID card, passport, and Tax Identification Number (TIN), and has submitted tax returns, confirming her Bangladeshi citizenship. Her NID, issued on January 3, 2011, lists Sudha Sadan—Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence—as her address. Recently, her NID has been locked.

China has imposed counter-sanctions on six US Congress members, officials, and NGO heads in retaliation for Washington’s recent sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials over alleged suppression of pro-democracy activists. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the US actions as interference and warned of stronger retaliation if such policies continue. The original US sanctions targeted those accused of using Hong Kong’s national security law to silence dissent. The geopolitical standoff also intensified through a tit-for-tat tariff escalation.

A delegation from the National People’s Front, led by Comrade Tipu Biswas, held discussions with the National Consensus Commission. Commission members included Professor Ali Riaz (Vice President), Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar. The commission has so far held preliminary discussions with 15 political parties.

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens’ Platform (NCP), has welcomed the apology from the Dhaka University Chhatra Dal president for describing the July movement as “so-called.” Abdullah praised the president’s courage to admit his mistake rather than defend it, calling such humility commendable.

He further remarked that despite the passage of several months since the July-August uprising, there has been no official declaration or constitutional acknowledgment of it. Referring to global precedents such as Nepal and Bolivia, where revolutions were ratified through constitutional amendments, Abdullah emphasized the need for a similar approach in this case. He warned that in the absence of formal recognition, statements provoking fresh unrest may continue to emerge.

On Monday afternoon in Cumilla, angry protestors hurled rotten eggs at pro-Awami League lawyers while they were being escorted to a prison van. Among the targeted were the former president and secretary of the Cumilla Bar Association. This incident stems from a violent crackdown on students on August 3, during which shots were fired. A case was later filed on February 12 by Inzamamul Haque Rana, accusing 261 individuals, including 26 lawyers.

Following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner, Islamic Unity Alliance leader Sakhawat Hossain Raji emphasized the need for swift electoral reforms and early elections. He stated, “The government and the Election Commission must ensure elections are held promptly once reforms are complete. True reform can only come through an elected government.” Raji also highlighted the need to eliminate the political “garbage” accumulated over the past 16 years, which he believes is crucial for free and fair elections. He noted that the difference between holding elections in June versus December is minimal, but reforms must come first.

BNP’s liaison committee met with representatives from the Nationalist-Like-Minded Alliance and the Labour Party. They reached a consensus on holding the national elections by December this year and stressed the urgency of publishing a clear electoral roadmap.

Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, president of the Dhaka University unit of JCD, has issued a public apology after referring to the July uprising as the “so-called July movement.” He said it was an inadvertent mistake and emphasized the importance of constructive criticism in advancing the country.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan remarked that the party’s demands regarding the upcoming general election are not significantly different from the government’s stance. He called for a clear roadmap with a specific date in December for holding the elections.

In a statement, the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir strongly criticized Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy for referring to the July uprising as a “so-called movement.” Shibir stated that during July and August, students and citizens displayed extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice in standing up against the tyranny of the fascist Hasina regime in Delhi’s favor.

Labeling the movement as “so-called,” they said, dishonors the blood of martyrs, betrays the injured and disabled protesters, and belittles the sacrifices of the student and general public. The statement added that using disparaging language, reminiscent of BAKSAL-era rhetoric, to undermine these sacrifices is unjust and deeply condemnable. Shibir urged Chhatra Dal to show more responsibility in their statements.

NCP’s Joint Secretary Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir has been temporarily relieved of duties and issued a show-cause notice. A report in a national daily on March 11 alleged his involvement in manipulating district commissioner appointments and engaging in commission-based deals for textbook paper supply. The action follows previous verbal warnings for disciplinary breaches.