Christmas celebrations across India were overshadowed by fear and tension as reports of threats, disruptions, and attacks emerged from several states. Allegations pointed to the involvement of groups linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other right-wing Hindu organizations. Incidents were reported in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, targeting churches, prayer meetings, carol events, and decorations. Police made arrests in some areas and increased security, while religious leaders urged protection of constitutional rights.

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a group of 80 to 90 people allegedly vandalized Christmas decorations at a shopping mall. The Vishva Hindu Parishad called on Hindus to avoid Christmas celebrations, labeling them a threat to cultural awareness, which critics said fosters exclusion and harassment. In Kerala, children under 15 singing carols were attacked, and one RSS-linked suspect was arrested. A BJP leader’s remark defending the assault drew public outrage. In Madhya Pradesh, a blind woman was reportedly harassed during a prayer meeting, and Christians faced intimidation.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incidents as contrary to India’s secular values, accusing RSS-linked groups of pressuring schools to cancel Christmas events.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has called for realizing the vision shown by the 'July warriors', saying they pointed out the right path for the nation. He stated that the country had been on the wrong track and must correct its course to build a prosperous Bangladesh. Khan made these remarks on Friday, December 26, at the centenary celebration of Dalta Rahmania High School in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, where he attended as the chief guest.

During his speech, the NBR chairman emphasized the need for social respect toward deserving individuals, noting that society often honors the wrong people while neglecting those who merit recognition. He also encouraged students to pursue education sincerely, saying that opportunities are open both at home and abroad for those who learn properly.

The event was presided over by education enthusiast and social worker Khorhshed Alam Bhuiyan and conducted by former student Abu Hannan Lavlu. Several notable figures, including Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Mamun Ahmed and industrialist Kamal Hossain, addressed the program virtually.

Supreme Court senior lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir has collected nomination papers to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency as a candidate of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He collected the nomination papers on Friday, December 26, from the office of the Dirai Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer.

During the submission, he was accompanied by senior teacher Pulin Bihari Das, freedom fighter Pandab Chandra Das, Jamaat’s Dirai Upazila Ameer Abdul Kaddus, Ashish Chakraborty, farmer Sudhanshu Biswas, Rabeya Monir, Sushma Pal, and physically challenged Samraj Mia, along with leaders of the eight-party alliance. After collecting the papers, Shishir Monir told journalists that he wanted a free, fair, and festive election in Dirai-Shalla.

He emphasized that all participants should follow the electoral code of conduct until the end of the campaign and urged the administration to ensure a level playing field so that no voter or candidate feels intimidated during the election process.

Former sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has said that his official Facebook page, which had around three million followers, was removed by Facebook authorities following mass reports. He claimed the removal occurred after posts about Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, were reported. Asif shared the information in a Facebook post on Friday, stating that all posts and videos related to Hadi were targeted with strikes and coordinated reports.

According to Asif, links were circulated in various Telegram groups to organize the reporting campaign, and three videos about Hadi received strikes. The incident comes as Asif prepares to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-10. He had earlier resigned as a student adviser of the interim government, along with Mahfuz Alam, a day before the election schedule was announced.

The removal of the page has drawn attention due to its timing before the election and the large follower base involved, though Facebook’s official reasoning for the removal has not been detailed in the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party will work to build a humane and discrimination-free Bangladesh through unity among all classes of people. He made the remarks on Friday morning at the central members’ conference of Islami Chhatra Shibir held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, where more than 6,000 members from across the country participated. The event will also elect the organization’s new central president for the 2026 session.

In his speech, Dr. Rahman emphasized employment creation over unemployment allowances for youth and called for an education system free from corruption, fear, and violence. He said Jamaat aims to establish institutions where there is no place for drugs or terrorism and where women can move safely and with dignity. He described Islami Chhatra Shibir as a guardian of the student community, tasked with restoring moral education, modern knowledge, and research in educational institutions.

Dr. Rahman urged students to prepare themselves for nation-building, stressing that every young person should become a craftsman of the country’s development.

Barrister Toufiqueur Rahman, a central committee member of the suspended Awami Jubo League, has collected nomination papers to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Narsingdi-5 (Raipura) constituency. The nomination papers were collected on his behalf by his personal assistant Sanaullah from Assistant Returning Officer and Raipura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Masud Rana at the Raipura Upazila Parishad office on December 24.

According to the assistant returning officer, the nomination papers were issued following due procedure. Toufiqueur Rahman is the grandson of Shaheed Abdur Rab Serniabat and the nephew of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s sister Amena Begum, a family background that has kept him in public discussion both locally and nationally.

The collection of nomination papers by a leader from the banned Jubo League has sparked varied reactions among local political activists and residents, with some viewing it as a significant and curious signal ahead of the upcoming election.

Bangladesh Rastrer Sangskar Andolon has announced it will not join any alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) or Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election. Party president Hasnat Kayum made the declaration on Friday during a press conference at the party’s office, stating that his organization would continue its political activities independently.

Within the broader Ganatantrik Sangskar Jote, the National Citizen Party (NCP) is currently engaged in seat-sharing discussions with both BNP and Jamaat. However, another partner in the alliance, AB Party, has yet to clarify its position on the matter. Hasnat Kayum emphasized that his party is not only refusing to form an alliance with BNP or Jamaat but is also unwilling to hold any discussions about such cooperation.

The announcement underscores divisions within the reformist coalition as parties prepare for the national election, with some exploring alliances while others maintain independent political strategies.

Dhaka North unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated a cleanup operation following the massive public gathering held to celebrate the historic homecoming of the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. According to the party, the waste removal work began this morning across the 36 July Expressway (300-foot highway), Airport Road, and adjacent areas.

The cleanup is being conducted under the supervision of Dhaka North BNP, with participation from volunteers and party activists. Party leaders stated that the initiative aims to ease public inconvenience and ensure normal movement for city residents.

BNP leaders added that the party has always maintained a responsible role in preserving environmental and urban cleanliness alongside its peaceful and disciplined programs, and this effort continues that tradition.

Political activity in Khulna has intensified ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami emerging as the main contenders across six constituencies. Jamaat finalized its candidates early in the year and began campaigning, while BNP’s internal disputes over nominations have persisted despite official announcements on November 3 for five seats. Although no major public clashes have occurred, signs of factional tension remain visible within BNP ranks.

Jamaat appears more organized, though its new alliance with eight Islamist parties has raised questions about seat-sharing. The party has also drawn attention by nominating a Hindu candidate, Krishna Nandi, in Khulna-1, signaling an inclusive political message. In contrast, BNP continues to struggle with rebel candidates and local dissatisfaction in several constituencies, including Khulna-2 and Khulna-5, where prominent figures face internal resistance.

The evolving dynamics suggest Jamaat currently holds a more stable position in Khulna, while BNP’s unresolved divisions could affect its electoral strength if not addressed before the polls.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka after Friday prayers on December 26, 2025. Following the visit, he will pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. This marks his first public appearance after returning to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending a 17-year absence.

Preparations at the National Memorial have been completed ahead of his visit. According to Anwar Hossain Khan Anu, a sub-assistant engineer of the Savar Public Works Department, the department has finished cleaning and maintenance work at the site in anticipation of Rahman’s arrival. The area has taken on a festive atmosphere as BNP leaders and activists from various regions have begun gathering along the highway leading to the memorial to welcome their leader.

Local reports indicate that the visit will be a symbolic start to Rahman’s renewed political activities following his return to the country.

Dhaka North BNP has initiated a waste removal campaign following the massive public gathering held to celebrate BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s historic return to the country. The cleanup began on Friday morning under the leadership of Aminul Haque, the convener of Dhaka North BNP. According to party sources, waste accumulated along the 36 July Expressway (300 Feet Highway), Airport Road, and adjacent areas is being cleared.

The cleanup operation is being carried out under the supervision of Dhaka North BNP, with active participation from volunteers and party members. Leaders stated that the initiative aims to ease public inconvenience and ensure normal movement for city residents. They emphasized that the activity reflects the party’s commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness and public order.

BNP leaders further noted that the waste removal effort is part of their ongoing practice of conducting peaceful and disciplined programs while upholding environmental responsibility.

The Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has begun its Central Members’ Conference 2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, with participation from over six thousand members from across the country. The event, which started on Friday morning, will elect the organization’s new central president for the 2026 term through direct and secret voting by delegates. Current president Zahidul Islam has decided to step down as his student tenure has ended.

According to party sources, the race for the top post is led by current Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam, followed by central office secretary and former Dhaka University unit president Sibgatullah, central publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, and central publication secretary and DUCSU vice president Sadik Kayem. Historically, the secretary general has usually succeeded as president, making Saddam the frontrunner.

Leaders view this year’s conference as a major challenge, given the approaching national election. They emphasize the need for capable and strategic leadership to attract young voters and to strengthen the organization’s position in the evolving landscape of student politics following recent anti-discrimination movements.

Leaders from several Bangladeshi political and Islamist parties have welcomed the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his family to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam publicly expressed their greetings through social media and media statements. They described his return as a positive development for national politics following years of political unrest.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat would closely observe Tarique Rahman’s role and plans for political unity. The Islami Andolan chief, known as the Charmonai Pir, said Rahman’s return could restore leadership within the BNP and help end a culture of political vengeance. Khelafat Majlish leaders called the event a victory for anti-fascist struggles, while Nahid Islam and NCP leader Sarjis Alam linked it to the democratic movement that followed the July uprising.

According to these leaders, Tarique Rahman’s return may strengthen multiparty democracy and promote a healthier political culture in Bangladesh.

Imran Ahmed, a British national and head of the U.S.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration in a New York district court. Ahmed described the U.S. visa ban imposed on him as unconstitutional and an attempt to expel him from the country. The State Department recently announced that five European figures involved in technology regulation, including Ahmed, would be denied visas, accusing them of pressuring U.S. social media platforms to censor views they dislike.

The European Union and several member states have strongly condemned the decision, pledging to defend Europe’s regulatory autonomy. Ahmed, a U.S. green card holder and permanent resident, named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as defendants. A district judge has temporarily barred his arrest or detention, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for next Monday.

The State Department has maintained its position, stating that the Supreme Court and Congress have repeatedly affirmed that the U.S. has no obligation to allow foreign nationals to enter or reside in the country.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has organized nationwide prayers today, Friday, after Jumma prayers in mosques across the country for the recovery of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and to mark the return of acting chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh. The announcement was made in a press release sent to the media on Thursday night, December 25.

According to the statement, the prayers will be held in all mosques, including those in Dhaka, under the initiative of the BNP. The event is dedicated to the recovery of Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, and to celebrate Tarique Rahman’s homecoming with his family after 17 years abroad. The BNP has called on leaders, activists, and the general public to participate in the prayers.

The party’s directive emphasizes unity among its members and supporters during this occasion, reflecting both concern for Khaleda Zia’s health and enthusiasm over Tarique Rahman’s return.