In a joint meeting on Wednesday, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and the National Citizen Party (NCP) reached a consensus on several key issues. Both parties agreed that the Awami League should be tried for genocide and its registration as a political party must be revoked. They also demanded the swift withdrawal and resolution of politically motivated cases filed during the Awami League’s tenure. Additionally, they called for a suspension of all Awami League political and organizational activities until the trial is concluded. Both parties emphasized the importance of initiating this legal process before the next election and supported declaring the Awami League a terrorist organization prior to the polls.

BNP will organize nationwide protest and solidarity rallies on Thursday to condemn Israeli atrocities in Gaza and Rafah. The central rally will begin at 4 PM in front of BNP’s Naya Paltan office and proceed through Kakrail, Malibagh, and Moghbazar before ending at Banglamotor. The party has urged all members and the public to join.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stressed that elected governments earn more trust from investors. Referring to a speaker at the investment summit, he echoed that maintaining democratic continuity via elections is crucial. He pointed out that the growth of the garment industry and private sector in Bangladesh was rooted in BNP’s policies, highlighting that when BNP left power 21 years ago, the GDP growth rate was 7.06%.

BNP is seeking a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus by December to discuss a roadmap for the upcoming national election. Salahuddin Ahmed stated that resolving election-related uncertainty requires a clear timeline. He also emphasized restoring the pre-15th amendment constitutional balance, although the party has not proposed removing secularism. BNP is also not in favor of declaring a state of emergency.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced plans to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year, on a grand scale, envisioning a future free from fascism and autocracy. The party plans to host cultural fairs, Baishakhi parades, folk music concerts, traditional village games like ha-du-du, and panta ilish feasts across cities, districts, and upazilas. The BNP will also seek another meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss a concrete election roadmap and is considering organizing a solidarity rally for Palestine.

In Natore’s Lalpur upazila, BNP activists forcefully freed detained Chhatra Dal leader Rubel Uddin from police custody. According to reports, Rubel was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at a BNP leader’s house in Bagatipara on December 16. At around 3:30 PM on Tuesday, police brought him to the station. Soon after, more than 50 members of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal gathered, demanding his release. When police refused, chaos ensued, and the activists stormed the station, forcibly taking Rubel with them. The Superintendent of Police stated that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend all those involved.

Former Awami League MP and Chairman of Bengal Group, Morshed Alam, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Alam, who also chairs private TV station RTV, is reportedly facing multiple cases. He was elected MP from Noakhali-2 (covering parts of Senbagh and Sonaimuri upazilas) in the 10th parliamentary election in 2014 and was re-elected in both the 11th and 12th general elections.

At least five people were injured in Muladi, Barishal, when activists of the ruling party’s student wing, Chhatra League, allegedly threw hand bombs during a rally organized by the opposition’s Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. The attack was reportedly led by Chhatra League’s upazila president Zubair Ahmed Jewel. During the ensuing chaos, several participants were hurt while trying to flee. Enraged activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal later chased Jewel, who managed to escape. Following the incident, police detained Jewel’s brother-in-law, Jasim Patwari, from his residence. However, the local OC claimed that Jasim was arrested in connection with a separate case.

Sani Sarkar, a student of Political Science at Dhaka University, was attacked after requesting the removal of a banner belonging to the banned militant group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The incident occurred during a protest on Monday at the Raju Memorial Sculpture against Israeli attacks on Palestine. Sani has filed a complaint with the university proctor’s office. He is a student of the 2022–23 academic session. Abdul Kader, the convener of Democratic Students’ Council at DU, was also harassed during the incident. In response, students of the Political Science Department have announced a protest rally at the Raju Sculpture on Wednesday at 11 AM. The Democratic Students’ Council has issued a statement condemning the attack and demanding justice.

BNP leader Sultan Salahuddin Tuku accused associates of the ruling Awami League of involvement in looting and vandalizing showrooms and businesses during protests against Israeli aggression in Gaza. He said, “Those committing such acts in the name of protests cannot be true Muslims. Their goal is to destabilize the country. These are the ghosts of Awami League.”

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has criticized the country’s corrupt officials, noting that many of them are highly educated but morally compromised. “They’ve studied at top universities and earned good grades, yet failed to receive the right values,” he said. Over the past 16 years, corruption has seeped into every sector, he claimed, adding that ministers and MPs from the ruling Awami League have laundered billions overseas. Addressing students preparing for their SSC exams, he emphasized integrity, saying, “It’s not the same to avoid corruption because there’s no opportunity versus resisting it when you do have the chance. The latter defines true character.”

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in Sylhet visited several businesses that were damaged during recent attacks and looting in the city. On Tuesday afternoon, they inspected vandalized shops including Bata Shoe Store, Bonoful, Pioria, and Hotel Royal Mark in Mirabazar. Expressing solidarity with the affected business owners, the leaders condemned the violence and stated, “Those involved in vandalism and looting are nothing but criminals; they cannot be considered part of the devout public.” They urged authorities to swiftly arrest the perpetrators using CCTV footage available from the attacked locations.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused the previous Awami League government of indirectly recognizing Israel through fascist policies. Speaking at a student protest against the ongoing genocide and military aggression in Gaza and Rafah, he announced that BNP will soon unveil a central action plan to oppose Israeli atrocities. He called on the Muslim world to unite and take concrete steps against nations supporting Israel militarily and politically. Salahuddin also criticized the UN for its ineffective role, stating that Israel has consistently defied UN resolutions, undermining international justice. He urged both the citizens of Bangladesh and the global community to take a stand against Israeli aggression.

Police have arrested an imam, Ebadul Islam Faridi, for making derogatory comments about BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Facebook. He was produced in court Tuesday morning from Ashulia police station. The complainant had posted a photo of Khaleda Zia, to which Faridi responded with an offensive comment on April 5. A cybercrime case was filed under the Digital Security Act following the incident, citing harm to the party’s reputation.

Following the expiration of his anticipatory bail, Manikganj District Awami League President Golam Mohiuddin surrendered to court seeking bail. However, the court denied his request and ordered him into custody. Reports allege that Mohiuddin orchestrated attacks on protesters during the recent uprising using cadres from Jubo League and Chhatra League, and directed an arson attack on the district BNP office.