Ganosamhati Andolon political council member and State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said a democratic transition cannot proceed at this stage without minimum national consensus. He made the remarks on Friday at a July public rally organised by the party at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, marking two years since the July mass uprising. Saki said efforts would be made to implement political and constitutional reforms in line with the mandate he said voters had given for implementation of the July National Charter.

He said the government should ensure rights and dignity in state life for every person regardless of class, religion, ethnicity or gender identity. Saki warned that, after nationalist fascism had been driven out, another form of fascism was seeking to divide people through religious and other narratives. He said such forces were trying to create public tension while the government pursued the aspirations of July.

The rally was inaugurated by Ayesha Bibi, mother of slain Zulfiqar Ahmed Shakil, and began with silence in memory of those killed. Acting chief coordinator Dewan Abdur Rashid Nilu said the interim government had responsibilities for justice, reform and elections. While election and justice processes had begun, he said the group was disappointed by progress on reforms and hoped the government would complete them promptly.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said Bangladesh must be specially prepared to confront challenges posed by Indian dominance because of its geography and long border. He made the remarks at a global diaspora conference organized by the NCP Global Diaspora Cell on Google Meet on Tuesday night, marking the July mass uprising. The party announced the remarks on Friday.

Opposing all forms of dominance, Nahid said India’s influence in Bangladesh differs from other forms of dominance. He alleged that the Awami League government remained in power for a long time with India’s direct support, and that issues including Bangladesh’s fair share of river water and border killings reflected attempts to turn the country into a tributary state.

Nahid called for diaspora Bangladeshis to receive proper voting rights and take active roles in national development and state-building. He said the aspirations for state change cannot be met merely by holding elections, stressing implementation of the July Charter and fundamental reforms in the judiciary, administration, police and economic structure. More than 400 expatriate Bangladeshis from various countries and NCP leaders and activists attended the conference.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said work is under way to establish an acceptable media commission aimed at ensuring accountability in the media and an environment for professional journalism. He said a draft for the proposed commission would be prepared within a short time. Swapan made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a discussion meeting at the Barishal Circuit House.

The meeting was organised by the Barishal Television and Multimedia Association and the district committee for preventing harassment of journalists. The minister expressed hope that an acceptable commission could be formed with everyone’s cooperation. He said the body would create a strong framework to encourage honest journalism and establish effective resistance against dishonest journalism.

Participants discussed journalists’ professional responsibilities, media freedom, accountability and measures to ensure a safe working environment for journalists. Representatives from the association, the journalists’ harassment prevention committee, Barishal press clubs and various media outlets attended the meeting.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over reports that teachers and students from Qawmi educational institutions are increasingly leaning toward Jamaat-e-Islami after several well-known Qawmi scholars joined the party. On July 16, leaders of seven Islamic parties from the Qawmi tradition held a discussion meeting at Jamea Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, at the call of Hefazat chief Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari.

The meeting, chaired by Babunagari, included leaders from Hefazat and several Islamic groups, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolon. Participants were given a message to move forward in unity, and leaders of the parties agreed to remain united.

A person present at the meeting said some students had joined Jamaat because Qawmi scholars were allied with it, and that the number could rise. Hefazat vice amir Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi said the issue was not on the formal agenda but arose in discussion. He said many scholars still do not regard Jamaat as an Islamic party of the righteous, while Qawmi youths’ reported tilt toward BNP was not discussed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inspected several areas of Dhaka North City Corporation on Friday as part of efforts to build the capital into a clean city. He reviewed waste management, cleanliness operations, tree planting, greening, drainage and broader urban management. During the visit, he expressed dissatisfaction with several aspects of the city corporation’s work, identified existing problems and instructed those concerned to address them quickly and effectively.

Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony confirmed the visit. He said the prime minister summoned the state minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives and the DNCC administrator to his Gulshan residence before leaving at about 3:30pm. Driving himself, Rahman toured locations including ECB Chattar, Mirpur DOHS, Diabari, Uttara, Airport Road, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Mohammadpur, Shyamoli, Mirpur and Banani.

During the inspection, the prime minister gave necessary guidance to relevant officials and people responsible for the services. State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, BNP special secretary Belayet Hossain, Principal Secretary Mehedul Islam and Assistant Personal Secretary Abdur Rahman Sani were present. Rahman returned to his Gulshan residence after completing the inspection.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir held its 14th Youth Summit in Dhaka on July 31, 2026, bringing together selected higher-secondary students who achieved GPA-5 in SSC and Dakhil examinations. The daylong event took place at the Shaheed A N M Najibuddin Khan Khurram Auditorium of Dhaka College under a theme calling for the integration of spirituality with skills to lead the world.

Chief guest and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman said young people need spiritual strength and modern skills alongside academic excellence to lead Bangladesh in the future. He stressed self-purification as a prerequisite for a corruption-free society, warning that talented people without principles cause the greatest social harm. He also recalled Shaheed Abu Sayeed and urged efforts to build a beautiful, discrimination-free country.

Special guest Mia Golam Parwar urged students to focus fully on studies and use phones, the internet and social media responsibly for knowledge and character building. In the closing session, Shibir president Nurul Islam said career success and skill development cannot be sustainable without a strong ethical foundation. The summit included sessions on careers, academics, skills, time management and leadership.

Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said some family cards will reach every village by December. Speaking in Nawabganj, Dinajpur, he said additional cards would be distributed next year and that everyone would receive them over the next three years. Farmer cards would also be issued through a similar process, he said.

The minister made the remarks on Friday after inaugurating a tree-planting campaign and tree fair at the Nawabganj উপজেলা পরিষদ premises. The event was organized by the উপজেলা administration and the Forest Department. He described the current government as highly humane, said it would stand beside every person, and asked for public cooperation.

Officials and local political leaders attended, including উপজেলা নির্বাহী অফিসার Bidhan Kanti Haldar, OC Abdul Quddus, উপজেলা engineer Hossain Ali, Dinajpur BNP vice-president Atikur Rahman Raja, and Forest Department officials. The minister distributed sewing machines to beneficiaries from small ethnic communities, educational scholarships to students, and cheques to needy and meritorious students. He also inaugurated beautification work at the উপজেলা পরিষদ auditorium.

Palestinian groups have rejected US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a purported Gaza peace and disarmament agreement, calling it incorrect and inconsistent with realities on the ground. In the report published July 31, representatives said any discussion of weapons handover or security arrangements in Gaza could be considered only after a full Israeli military withdrawal and an end to aggression.

Palestinian representatives said talks had made some progress, but the arrangement described by Trump had not been finalized. Fundamental issues remain unresolved, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the blockade from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and the durability of a ceasefire. Trump had earlier described an “historic” understanding on disarming armed Palestinian groups and a phased Israeli withdrawal.

Trump said Egypt, Qatar and Turkey had acted as mediators and that the process could pave the way for a new administrative structure in Gaza. Palestinian groups said disarmament is not a preliminary condition, but a possible later step contingent on Israel implementing commitments, particularly troop withdrawal and an end to military operations. Reports cited by the article said Israel views disarmament as a precondition for withdrawal, while Palestinians insist withdrawal must come first.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said citizenship, rather than religious identity, should be the core foundation of the Bangladeshi state. He made the remarks on July 31 as chief guest at a discussion meeting and representatives’ conference on minority protection and security, organised by Sammilito Sanatan Parishad at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. He said there was no scope for division in Bangladesh in the name of religion and that people of all faiths have equal rights and dignity.

The minister said Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians have lived in harmony in the region for centuries. Addressing the Sanatan community, he said he did not regard them as minorities, but as children and citizens of the country. He described the Liberation War as a struggle for freedom, dignity and economic emancipation for all people, and called for a democratic, non-communal and humane Bangladesh.

Alamgir urged people to remain united against efforts to create religious divisions and damage communal harmony. He said extremism and fundamentalism have no place in Bangladesh. He also said the government had taken steps to protect the lives, property and places of worship of followers of all religions, including by providing support and security during Durga Puja, Rath Yatra and other religious events. He encouraged the Sanatan community to present its concerns and demands in an organised manner.

Dhaka University’s public relations office has drawn criticism after a weekly activities statement described a Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal programme as an action of the university administration. The statement, edited by public relations director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, was published on Thursday and later emailed to students. Its 26th point referred to Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam handing over a fogger machine to the provost of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The handover took place at 4pm on 28 July at an event organised with the cooperation of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal. Abdus Salam delivered two mosquito-control fogger machines to the authorities of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. Chhatra Dal leaders cited waterlogging, increased mosquito infestation and the seasonal risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Rafiqul Islam said the programme was included because it benefited students, adding that the office would be more careful if criticism concerned naming Chhatra Dal. DUCSU vice-president Sadiq Kayem said including a political student organisation’s programme in the administration’s regular statement raised questions about professionalism and represented clear bias.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited teenager Alif at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital after he was seriously injured and lost one eye in an attack during the NCP’s “July March” programme in Habiganj. Rahman, identified as the parliamentary opposition leader, went to the hospital at about 4pm on July 31.

During the visit, he inquired about Alif’s physical condition and spoke with doctors treating him. The report said Alif suffered serious injuries in the attack on the NCP march in Habiganj, including severe trauma to his eye.

Alif was initially treated locally after the injury, but his condition later deteriorated. He was then admitted to the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment. Doctors were unable to save one of his eyes.

The government has reconstituted the executive committee of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust to make its welfare activities more effective and dynamic. Freedom Fighters Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan has been named chair of the new committee, according to a report published on July 31, 2026. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs recently issued a notification on the reconstitution.

The notification said the committee was reformed under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust Act, 2018. Members include State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 lawmaker Ishraq Hossain, Kishoreganj-4 lawmaker Md Fazlur Rahman, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Md Monirul Haque Chowdhury, and Noakhali-2 lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque.

The secretaries of the Finance Division, Ministry of Industries, and Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will serve as ex-officio members. The Trust's managing director will act as member-secretary. The committee will oversee Trust operations, prepare and implement development plans for subordinate commercial and industrial entities, review project progress, audit accounts, set future work plans, and implement Trustee Board decisions.

Prime Minister’s political assistant Rashed Khan said BNP activists would cooperate with NCP political programs if NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari is excluded. He made the remarks on Friday morning while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a tree fair at the Old DC Court premises in Jhenaidah town.

Referring to NCP’s recent political activities, Khan alleged that NCP leaders, particularly Hasnat Abdullah and Nasiruddin Patwari, had made objectionable remarks about Law Minister Advocate Asaduzzaman during visits to different districts. He said people in Jhenaidah would not accept such comments, adding that local residents would naturally become angry if provocative statements were made with Patwari present.

Khan said opposition parties could conduct politics and receive cooperation, but called on NCP to leave Patwari out of its travels around the country. He also said Asaduzzaman was working for equal development across all upazilas of Jhenaidah and for establishing the rule of law. The event was attended by the law minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rasheduzzaman Millat, and local officials.

Qawmi Parishad Bangladesh has expressed concern, condemnation and protest over an alleged same-sex wedding event at the Dhakeshwari Temple premises. In a statement published on July 31, its president, Mufti Imranul Bari Siraji, also khatib of Gulistan Pir Yemeni Jame Mosque in the capital, demanded an impartial investigation and action against those involved under existing laws.

Siraji said Bangladesh’s constitution, social values and religious traditions place importance on family structures and morality. He claimed that homosexuality is punishable under the country’s existing laws. According to the statement, organising an event publicly in the name of a same-sex wedding would show disregard for the law and could create moral decline and disorder in society.

He further said that Islam and the country’s major religions do not legitimise homosexuality. Holding such a programme around a religious place of worship or sacred site could hurt religious sentiments and harm social harmony, he said. The statement urged relevant ministries, law-enforcement agencies and the administration to investigate how the incident occurred, who was involved and whether there was any negligence in carrying out duties, while taking steps to prevent similar events.

Resigned President Md. Sahabuddin Chuppu was called a “thief” as he left a mosque in Gulshan, Dhaka, after Friday prayers, according to a report published on July 31, 2026. The incident occurred while he was getting into a vehicle with state protection. One person was heard saying, “A thief is being given protection.”

A video published by media outlets showed Chuppu leaving the mosque wearing a light olive-green panjabi, white pajama and a cap. As he entered the vehicle, one person greeted him, while another said he had deprived “180 million people” of their rights. The report did not identify the people making the remarks or describe any action following the incident.

The report said Chuppu resigned from the presidency last Friday afternoon after serving for three years and eight months. After signing his resignation letter, he told Amar Desh that he was seriously ill and could not continue his duties because of physical complications. He became the country’s 22nd president on February 13, 2023. The report also said protesters had demanded his resignation outside Bangabhaban during the interim government period.