In Manikganj, the home of artist Manbendra Ghosh was set on fire by alleged supporters of the ruling Awami League, following accusations that he created an artwork resembling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) celebrations in Dhaka. Ghosh has denied the allegations, claiming the piece was a tiger motif, not a depiction of Hasina. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki condemned the attack and stated that the police have begun operations to apprehend the perpetrators. He also confirmed that the Home Adviser has issued clear directives to the Inspector General of Police. Farooki pointed out that pro-government activists had been inciting online attacks against the artist in recent days, accusing him of ‘creating an effigy of Hasina.’ He warned that this violent trend appears to be continuing into July.

A high-level BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at his residence in Jamuna to discuss the upcoming national election. The delegation included Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Nazrul Islam Khan. According to party insiders, Wednesday’s meeting is expected to focus on formulating a clear election roadmap and addressing prevailing confusion surrounding the electoral process. The BNP also seeks clarity on the government’s stance regarding the election and intends to raise concerns about the current political climate. On April 17, BNP will hold another round of discussions with the National Consensus Commission on reform issues.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has issued a statement urging the KUET syndicate to compassionately reconsider the temporary suspension of 37 students following the February 18-19 campus incidents. JCD called for restoring academic normalcy and improving the educational environment. The statement also criticized Chhatra League for fostering a toxic campus culture over the past 15 years, and called for educational reforms, democratic rights, peaceful coexistence, and better student accommodation and nutrition across all institutions.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for selecting Rangpur Division as the site for one of the three planned China-Bangladesh Friendship General Hospitals. In a statement, Sarjis highlighted the long-standing healthcare challenges faced by residents in remote areas of Rangpur. He emphasized the need for medical colleges and hospitals in the region and argued that turning Rangpur into a healthcare hub could also benefit neighboring countries.

Intelligence sources report that ousted members of the Awami League are secretly regrouping and heading toward Dhaka. Their primary objective is to demoralize and destabilize the police force. Analysts warn that such efforts could severely impact law and order, ultimately harming the government. In the past seven months alone, 322 cases have been filed over attacks on police forces, with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) being the main target. DMP stations have registered 63 such cases during this period. Experts are calling for decisive action to curb this trend.

In Kurigram’s Roumari, BNP leader Abdul Aziz and his followers allegedly beat Jamaat-e-Islami activist and lecturer Abul Hashem (50) and his son Tahmid Arman Jim (18) after announcing the attack over a loudspeaker. The assault reportedly stemmed from Hashem’s criticism on Facebook of illegal excavators and tractors damaging local roads. Aziz, also president of the local tractor association, had earlier issued threats to Hashem.

Following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a court has ordered the seizure of 304.59 acres of land in Lama Upazila of Bandarban, held under lease and purchase agreements in the name of Fawzia Islam, wife of former minister Tajul Islam. The petition alleges that Fawzia illegally acquired assets worth BDT 69 million, aided by funds allegedly misappropriated by her husband. It also cites suspicious transactions across 11 bank accounts involving over BDT 271 million, allegedly used to conceal the sources of illicit income.

A fire broke out Monday night at the village home of Saddam Hossain, central president of the banned student organization Chhatra League, in Panchagarh. Locals noticed the blaze at midnight and attempted to control it before fire services arrived. Two units from Boda Fire Station extinguished the flames. Initial damage is estimated at BDT 100,000. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

NCP leaders Nahid Islam and Dr. Tasnim Zara held discussions with ambassadors from eight EU countries—Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway. The EU delegation shared their support for democratic progress in Bangladesh. “It was an honor to join our convenor in this open dialogue,” Dr. Zara said. The EU emphasized the importance of engaging with the newly formed National Citizens’ Party and supporting democratic development.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah stated in a Facebook post, “Ever since our refusal to compromise with the Awami League was labeled as ‘indecent,’ their rallies have only grown larger.” Warning those engaging in “politics of compromise,” he added, “Decide soon where you stand with the Awami League. If not, while you continue compromising, I’ll continue being ‘indecent.’ And trust me, you won’t be able to handle that.”

NCP leader Shamantha Sharmin explained the party’s limited presence at New Year events in Dhaka, stating that NCP currently has only one central committee with 217 members. Many of them are working at local levels across the country. She said the party prioritized strategic deployment across the capital, given the history of disruptions at such public events. “We tried to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration by spreading out rather than concentrating in one place,” she added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has confirmed meeting BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia during his recent Brussels trip. “We worked together for many years. She is unwell, and it is our moral responsibility to check on her,” he said. When asked about any communication with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, he responded, “When two people meet, many things are discussed.” He declined to elaborate further. During the trip, Jamaat leaders also met with members of the South Asia Caucus of the European Parliament and officials from the EU’s South Asia desk.

Former press secretary to Khaleda Zia, Maruf Kamal, has revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Abu Taher recently met with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Tareque Rahman at Tareque’s residence in London after their return from a European tour. Details of the meeting remain undisclosed. Kamal hinted that this meeting may either signal a political development or be merely a courtesy visit—only time will tell.

At Chittagong University, a student was reportedly beaten by Chhatra Dal members on suspicion of being affiliated with the banned student group Chhatra League. The victim, Shawon Hossain from the Statistics Department (session 2016-17), denies any involvement. However, Chhatra Dal members claim he had assaulted one of their activists earlier. Shawon is reportedly linked to the CFC subgroup of Chhatra League. Police also confirmed that Chhatra Dal tried to block his transfer from the university medical center to Chittagong Medical College.

In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Golam Parwar criticized the government’s decision to increase soybean oil prices and industrial gas tariffs. He called the 14-taka hike in oil and 33% gas price increase “irrational” and harmful to new industrial ventures. With the new gas rate at BDT 40 per unit, up from BDT 30, Parwar warned that these changes will discourage entrepreneurship and worsen conditions for the poor, who primarily rely on soybean oil for cooking. He urged the government to withdraw the decisions immediately.