Akhtar Hossain, secretary of the NCIP, has called for the drafting of a new constitution that clearly guarantees the rights of workers and the general populace. Speaking at a workers’ rally, he criticized the existing constitution for failing to protect labor and popular rights and said it has not delivered freedom to the people of Bangladesh.

“We urge the government and political parties to formulate a new constitution that explicitly secures workers’ rights and the rights of the people,” Akhtar said. He argued that, despite the upheaval of 1971 and later movements, workers’ protections remain unfulfilled. Although a labor recommendation committee was formed, he noted, its proposals have not yet been implemented.

Akhtar emphasized the risks workers face on the job and the absence of guaranteed safety and justice. “Workers drive the economy and the state, yet they remain deprived of fair treatment when accessing offices, courts and public services. Workers form the majority but are continually sidelined,” he said, calling for dignity, protection and enforceable rights for the nation’s labor force.

BNP leader and freedom fighter Hasan Uddin Sarkar has called for greater emphasis on sports alongside education to combat drug abuse and promote a healthier society.

Speaking at a friendly girls’ football match held at Tongi Pilot School and Girls’ College ground, Sarkar said, “To build a drug-free society, we must prioritize sports along with studies. Regular physical activity is essential for both mental and physical well-being.”

The exhibition match featured Gazipur Haidarabad Sporting Club and Bogura Dupchachia Women’s Football Team. After a goalless draw in regulation time, the match was decided in a penalty shootout, where Gazipur Haidarabad Sporting Club clinched victory 3-2.

BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu said student union election results at one or two universities will have no bearing on the upcoming national election.
“Thousands of student votes cannot compare to the will of millions in rural Bangladesh. The people are eagerly waiting to vote for BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol under Tarique Rahman’s leadership,” he said.
Dulu added that BNP leaders and activists have faced the harshest repression, arrests, enforced disappearances, and killings over the past 17 years, but people have not forgotten the injustices under Awami League rule.
He expressed confidence that BNP would return to power with a sweeping victory.

Islami Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam warned that if JUCSU results are not announced swiftly, Jahangirnagar University students will reclaim their rights just as they did in July.
He accused the administration of attempting to derail the election through slow counting and “partisan political games.”
“Our clear message: results must be declared promptly in line with students’ votes. Otherwise, the university administration—and even the interim government—will be held accountable,” Zahidul stated.

BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo has declared that Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh once the date for the 13th National Parliamentary Election is officially announced.

Speaking to reporters, Mintoo emphasized that the outcome of university student union elections has no bearing on the upcoming national polls. “BNP is a large democratic party that firmly believes in the people’s right to vote and in democracy itself,” he said.

Raising concerns about governance, Mintoo noted that questions about the government’s legitimacy cast a shadow over the election process. He criticized the deteriorating law-and-order situation, pointing to incidents of mob justice and politically motivated blame-shifting.

While acknowledging that some BNP activists had been involved in misconduct, Mintoo said, “We have already expelled three to four thousand leaders and workers from the party for such activities.”

Student organization Islami Chhatra Shibir has stood by the family of journalist Tariqul Shibli, who passed away while covering the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The group handed over a cash grant of Tk 200,000 to his family.

GS SM Forhad, speaking at the handover, remembered Tariqul as a dedicated reporter and shared the poignant words of the journalist’s elder child. “My son Ayat, who is four years old, told me during a long conversation, ‘Allah has taken my father and put him in a beautiful place. Since my father will not return, I’ll look after and care for my mother and little sister Azmine,’” Forhad said, expressing both sorrow and admiration for the child’s composure. He added that the organization will support the family as far as possible.

The cheque was handed over in the presence of newly elected DUCSU president Sadiq Kayem and GS SM Forhad.

BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan declared the fall of what he termed “Awami autocracy” during a street rally in Sadurbazar, Palash upazila, Narsingdi.
“Through the united movement of students and the people, we are free again. The Awami League, without accountability, looted hundreds of billions and bankrupted the nation,” he alleged.

Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest rally in Shahbagh demanding the immediate release of JUCSU and hall union election results.
Meanwhile, the Chief Election Commissioner assured that manpower has been increased to accelerate the process and expressed hope that results would be announced by tonight.
The elections, held after 34 years, have kept the entire campus in suspense. Proctor Zakir Ahmed explained that the delay was caused by switching from OMR to manual counting, which requires more time to ensure accuracy.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof. Md. Moniruzzaman announced that results of the JUCSU and 21 hall union elections will be declared tonight after vote counting is completed.
“Counting began at 9 PM last night. So far, 19 out of 21 halls have been counted. Additional manpower has been deployed to speed up the process, and counting is being conducted transparently in front of candidates’ agents,” he said.
He noted that while the commission cannot specify an exact time, results may be released late at night.

Arjun Singh, former BJP MP, has called for a mass uprising in West Bengal similar to the recent youth-led revolt in Nepal.
Referring to Nepal’s ongoing unrest, Singh said: “The way Nepal’s young generation has stood up against corruption is a powerful example. Bengal’s youth must also rise with similar courage.”
His remarks have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of making inflammatory statements that could incite violence in the state and even issuing threats against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Mazharul Islam, the General Secretary candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami student wing–backed “Combined Student Alliance” panel, has given an ultimatum for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election results to be announced by Friday.
He warned: “If the results are not declared, we will take the strongest possible stance. No attempt to derail this election will be allowed.”
Mazharul alleged that BNP-backed teachers and JCD leaders are conspiring to stall vote counting under various pretexts, calling the decision to exclude OMR from counting “illogical and inhumane.” He further claimed that aggressive actions by JCD disrupted the voting atmosphere.
“This campus belongs to the students, not any teachers’ group or political party. After 33 years, students finally got a JUCSU election, and they must be allowed to exercise their rights,” he asserted.

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.