Tensions flared at BUTEX’s G.M.G. Osman Hall and Syed Nazrul Islam Hall following offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by student Muaz Mohammad Arefin Talukder. The comments, made on a post by Jannat Naim, quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage. University authorities and police intervened to control the situation. While being escorted to the police station, Talukder was assaulted by students. He attributed his actions to frustration over personal health issues, while students have demanded harsh punishment.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has demanded an election roadmap from the interim government, stating that reforms are an ongoing process and should not be a reason to delay the elections. He emphasized that the current political environment has been achieved through great sacrifices, and no one should be shot or obstructed from expressing independent thoughts. Rizvi also accused Sheikh Hasina of not allowing people to vote and now inciting actions from India. He urged the government to take more responsibility in curbing market syndicates and improving law and order.

Students have been on an indefinite hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day demanding the declaration of Government Titumir College as a university. From 11 AM to 10 PM today, they gathered to carry out the ‘Barasat Barricade to North City’ program. Upon visiting the site, it was observed that Saraswati Puja activities were ongoing inside, and students were gathered around the hunger strikers, but there were no slogans or processions. Apologizing to the affected individuals, Mahmudul Hasan Mukta, an advisor to Titumir Unity, commented that the state has shown hypocrisy. The students have made three demands: recognition of Titumir as a university, withdrawal of the statement made by the education advisor, and an apology from the legal advisor for obstructing the formation of the commission.

The court has granted a two-day remand for Salman F. Rahman, Anisul Haque, Dipu Moni, Judge Shamsuddin, Atiqul Islam, and Golam Sarwar Pintoo, who are accused of murder in the anti-discrimination movement in Badda police station in the capital. While the police had requested a five-day remand, Magistrate GM Farhan Ishtiaq granted a two-day remand. On July 20th at 3 PM, Hafizul Shikdar, the father of an auto-rickshaw driver killed in police firing in Badda, filed a murder case against 179 individuals. These six were arrested in connection with the case on September 25th last year.

After an attack on the police by supporters of the Awami League and Chhatra League, who tried to abduct a detained individual, the police have been guarding the police station throughout the night for security. Supporters of the Awami League attacked the Khan Saheb Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain School and College in Tungipara, Gopalganj, yesterday, injuring five police officers. The police had gone there after receiving reports that Awami League activists were distributing leaflets. When one police officer got trapped, the Upazila Executive Officer went to rescue them.

Due to dense fog, the sky over Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was blurred from midnight on Sunday, causing three flights to be unable to land and divert to Kolkata International Airport. Two of these flights came from Kuwait City, and one from Oman. They later landed in Dhaka at 9 AM. It was reported that from midnight until 9 AM, 16 flights were unable to land on time due to the fog. Flight operations returned to normal after 10 AM.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFUFee) has formed a special team to resolve the allegations against national women’s football coach Peter Butler. On the evening of February 2nd, Sabina Khatun and others met with the special committee. In the presence of BAFUFee Senior Vice President Imrul Hasan, 18 female footballers presented their positions. Following the footballers’ meeting, the committee will meet with the coaching staff and women’s wing before submitting the report to BAFUFee President Tabith Awal. Although the number of participants in Coach Peter’s practice sessions has been increasing, with 15 out of 31 footballers attending, it is expected that the number will rise further.

After 19 hours, students at Jahangirnagar University (Jabid) ended their hunger strike, demanding the cancellation of the “sponsored quota,” after receiving an assurance from the Vice-Chancellor. The VC personally intervened, offering juice to end the hunger strike. A student mentioned that a meeting with teachers, officers, and staff regarding this issue is scheduled for 3 PM today. If discussions about restoring or reforming the quota arise, the students plan to resume the hunger strike. The hunger strike began at 11 AM on Sunday under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement and ended after receiving the VC’s moral assurance that their demands would be addressed.

Five months after the fire at the Gazi Tire Factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj, it has been reported that 182 people are alive. The claim was made by an unknown person via phone to the relatives. Earlier, relatives had staged protests in front of the Narayanganj District Commissioner and Police Superintendent’s office, accusing the police of not accepting their complaints. One mother claimed that a group was holding her son captive. She heard her son crying over the phone and even noticed a color and shape that matched his description. The unknown individual also claimed that they have information about 222 people. The administration has stated that the police will try to locate the missing individuals by tracking the phone numbers.

In response to intense criticism on social media regarding the photo session at the Bangla Academy Award, where awardees were positioned behind, Advisor Faruqi stated that the group photo with the government or award-giving institution representatives should be considered a tradition. He questioned why we must adhere to this tradition. He suggested that this practice be abolished from the Ekushey Padak. He further raised the issue of whether it is necessary to maintain decorum with individuals who were recently released from being murderers, abductors, and psychopaths, asking whether such a question should be entertained.

Saraswati Puja, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community, is being celebrated today, Monday. Every year, this worship of the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, takes place on the Shukla Paksha of the Bengali month of Magh. On this occasion, students will participate in various rituals, including prayers (Bani Archana), puja ceremonies at temples and educational institutions, distribution of prasad, religious discussions, cultural programs, and evening aarti. In some places, the festival was observed yesterday according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Puja mandaps have been set up in different halls of Dhaka University, including Jagannath Hall. At 11 AM, the National Hindu Student Grand Alliance will hold a discussion meeting. Meanwhile, the president and general secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council have extended their greetings to the people of the country.

According to Bangladesh Bank, remittances from expatriates amounted to $2.18523 billion in January. Due to the blockade, internet shutdown, and bank closures, remittances declined in July, the month of the mass uprising. However, after the victory of the uprising, expatriates began sending more remittances. • August: $2.22415 billion • September: $2.40479 billion • October: $2.39508 billion • November: $2.63878 billion Following this trend, January saw a significant inflow of remittances. The largest share of these funds was received by private banks.

Injured protesters from the anti-discrimination student movement returned to the hospital at 12:45 AM after discussions with Hasnat Abdullah. They had been demonstrating in front of the Chief Advisor’s residence, demanding rehabilitation and proper treatment. Initially, they accused Hasnat and his allies of prioritizing political organization over their well-being. However, Hasnat convinced them, acknowledging the complexity of the rehabilitation process and blaming government officials for delays. He also pledged to visit the Secretariat this week to push for their demands.

The 23 individuals who perished in a boat sinking while attempting to reach Italy illegally via the Mediterranean had no Bangladeshi identification documents, despite the Red Crescent suspecting them to be Bangladeshi based on their appearance. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Abul Hasnat, confirmed this information during a Facebook Live session. According to him, a boat carrying 56 migrants departed from eastern Libya for Italy on January 25 but sank en route. Between January 30 and 31, 23 bodies were recovered, while two individuals were found in critical condition. The fate of the remaining 31 migrants remains unknown. The region where the incident occurred is under the control of rebel forces. Ambassador Hasnat stated that despite unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the local prosecution, efforts are ongoing to gather further information.

Police arrested seven robbers linked to an inter-district gang after a robbery in Bogura Sadar on January 28. The robbers, who tied up the family and looted goods and 50,000 taka, left behind a pair of shoes and a cloth bag, which led to their identification. During the operation, police recovered several pieces of gold jewelry, rings, and 3,500 taka in cash. The robbers were arrested early on February 2 after a covert investigation based on the clues.