BNP leader Mirza Abbas has claimed that five senior bureaucrats, including one outside the Secretariat, and certain members of the advisory council are working to derail the Chief Adviser. He warned the Chief Adviser to remain vigilant. Abbas also criticized YouTubers for allegedly fueling instability and questioned why those benefiting from Awami League-linked administrators in the bureaucracy remain untouched.

Asif Mahmud’s Assistant Personal Secretary (APS), Md. Moazzem Hossain, has stepped down from his position. Moazzem clarified that he was not dismissed but voluntarily resigned to pursue a permanent government job. In a statement, he said, “On March 10, 2025, I passed the written exam for a bank job. The BCS written exam is scheduled for May 8, and the bank interview on May 22. That’s why I submitted my resignation to Adviser Asif Mahmud on March 25.” He dismissed media reports claiming he was removed, calling them false. Adviser Asif Mahmud also confirmed the resignation and encouraged anyone with complaints against Moazzem to submit them via the designated complaint email.

The General Secretary of the KUET Teachers’ Association, Dr. Md. Faruk Hossain, stated that the association stands firmly on the matter of upholding the dignity of the Vice Chancellor. “Since the government has intervened, they should take appropriate action if any faults are found. But if a Vice Chancellor is forced to resign due to pressure from any group, we strongly oppose it,” he said. Dr. Hossain also mentioned that teachers were subjected to abuse by students following the incident, and academic activities will remain suspended until justice is served for the assaulted teachers. Association President Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam added, “We are deeply hurt that the Education Adviser did not speak to us today.”

Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul has confirmed that efforts are underway to withdraw politically motivated cases against leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam. He stated that the cases were part of a broader campaign of repression under the Hasina administration, which he labeled as “anti-Islamic.” Nazrul said his office had asked the Attorney General to ensure justice and requested prayers to continue advocating for the oppressed.

Garment workers in Gazipur’s Sripur area staged a protest Wednesday morning, blocking a major highway in Herachala village. The demonstration was sparked by the sudden layoff of 30 workers and the closure of a factory without notice. Protesters ended the blockade after three hours. They said they had returned to work after assurances of reemployment, only to find the factory locked the following day.

To tackle the widespread and often chaotic use of battery-powered autorickshaws in Dhaka, authorities are planning to introduce a new model developed by BUET. In a recent meeting with law enforcement and local stakeholders, Dhaka South City Corporation presented this model, which prioritizes safety features like foot brakes and regulated speed. If approved by the Ministry of Local Government, only licensed rickshaws built under this design will be allowed on city streets. Existing rickshaws will be gradually phased out. This initiative aims for nationwide adoption, with training provided for drivers if needed.

A three-member team from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has begun investigating ongoing unrest at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The probe began Wednesday morning following a brief visit and discussion with protesting students by Education Ministry adviser Dr. C. R. Abrar. Despite appeals, students have refused to end their hunger strike. The UGC team is now speaking directly with students and faculty.

After 34 hours of hunger strike, nine students of Chittagong University (CU) called off their protest in the early hours of Tuesday. The decision followed a Syndicate meeting that approved the relocation of the university’s Fine Arts Institute to the main campus. The students had begun their strike in front of the administrative building on Monday afternoon. Two students required medical attention due to exhaustion.

The High Court has suspended for three months a directive from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that required prior approval from higher authorities before making arrests in cases related to recent mass uprisings. The suspension follows a petition by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Jasim Uddin challenging the legality of the directive, which was issued on April 9 in connection with anti-discrimination protests.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against renowned actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon following allegations of physical abuse against her father and stepmother, Nishi Islam. The case, filed by Nishi Islam, names 12 individuals including former DB chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid. Two police officers from Badda Police Station admitted in court to detaining and torturing the complainant under directives from their then-officer-in-charge. Allegedly, Shaon had her mentally ill father confined to a psychiatric facility while Nishi Islam was imprisoned for six months. “We want justice,” said Nishi Islam.

Dr. C. R. Abrar, Education Adviser, visited KUET to check on students protesting with a hunger strike demanding VC Masood’s resignation. Arriving around 9:45 AM, he spoke with the students and expressed concern for their health. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to resolve the crisis and will visit the campus today. Dr. Abrar also urged students to consider ending their hunger strike for health reasons.

Student protesters at Dhaka’s Shahbagh have called for a nationwide class boycott, demanding the resignation of KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammad Masood. Over 300 students from institutions including BUET, Jagannath University, CUET, KUET, and Dhaka College gathered under the “Shahbagh Blockade” banner. Solidarity protests, including symbolic hunger strikes and sit-ins, will be held across campuses. A protest rally will also take place at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at 3 PM.

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division has nullified corruption charges against Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, filed under the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act. The bench, led by the Chief Justice, ruled that the ACC’s hasty legal actions following Yunus’s appointment were procedurally flawed. The case was initially filed during the Awami League’s tenure against Dr. Yunus and senior officials of Grameen Telecom. Notably, the ACC had withdrawn its petition without informing the appellants, violating legal norms.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged international investors to consider Bangladesh, calling it a land of immense economic potential. He emphasized the opportunity for Bangladesh to serve as a gateway to the sea for neighboring landlocked regions like Nepal, Bhutan, and seven Indian states. With a young, tech-savvy population and strategic geographic location, Yunus believes Bangladesh could emerge as a powerful economic hub. He also criticized government reforms and what he termed as destructive actions by Prime Minister Hasina’s administration.

The Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested 10 more activists affiliated with the Awami League and its associated organizations in Dhaka, including members of the now-banned Chhatra League, for their involvement in flash protests. All are reportedly accused in various criminal cases. Meanwhile, a nationwide special operation led to the arrest of 1,610 individuals, according to the Police Headquarters. Law enforcement officials also recovered a homemade pipe gun, a single-barrel shotgun, one empty cartridge shell, and two defective rounds of ammunition. The special operation will continue.