Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid stated that the 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh represents a continuation of the 1971 Liberation War’s pursuit of economic and social justice. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on Victory Day, she said the young protesters of 2024 embody the same spirit of freedom and equality that inspired the nation’s independence movement.

Murshid, daughter of educationist Khan Sarwar Murshid, emphasized that both movements sought democracy, equality, and fairness. She cautioned against drawing divisive comparisons between 1971 and 2024, arguing that such debates diminish national pride. According to her, the Liberation War remains a source of immense honor, and any “unwanted interpretation” of it weakens the country’s unity.

Her remarks come amid ongoing national reflection on the legacy of 1971 and the meaning of recent civic movements. Analysts note that her comments may influence how younger generations connect their activism to Bangladesh’s foundational struggles for justice and democracy.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus attended the Victory Day celebrations at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. He was received by Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-i-Azam upon arrival at around 11:15 a.m. The event, organized under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division with support from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, featured a special exhibition including a fly-past, parachute jumps, and aerobatic displays.

Thousands of spectators gathered at the old Tejgaon Airport to witness the air show, marking Bangladesh’s 54th Victory Day. Security was heightened, with visitors allowed entry only after thorough screening. The Armed Forces also performed a coordinated band presentation, showcasing military discipline and national pride.

The Victory Day celebrations commemorate Bangladesh’s triumph in the 1971 Liberation War. Dr. Yunus’s presence at the event underscored the caretaker government’s emphasis on honoring the nation’s independence and unity. Officials indicated that similar programs would continue throughout the day across the country.

Environmental and climate adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has strongly criticized the use of violence and assassination attempts as political tools in Bangladesh. Speaking to reporters at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Tuesday, she said there is no heroism in trying to eliminate opponents through violence, calling such acts cowardly and unacceptable in a democratic society.

Hasan emphasized that true political strength lies in facing the public through democratic means, not in silencing dissent. Reflecting on Bangladesh’s post-independence aspirations, she lamented that the nation has yet to achieve a fully democratic and equitable society, which has led to repeated uprisings and unrest. She expressed hope that the upcoming February election and concurrent referendum could mark a renewed journey toward genuine democracy and reform.

Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions, as parties prepare for the national polls and debate the scope of proposed constitutional and governance reforms.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and independent candidate for Dhaka-8, is currently receiving treatment at Singapore General Hospital following gunshot injuries. His brother Omar Faruk reported early Tuesday that Hadi’s breathing and heartbeat have returned to normal, and his heart function has improved. Doctors have declared his condition stable after intensive monitoring and medication.

According to hospital sources, Hadi’s condition deteriorated during his transfer to Singapore as his heart rate and breathing increased sharply. Upon arrival, he was immediately admitted to the ICU, where doctors administered intravenous medication and kept him under close observation for two hours. After responding positively to treatment, his vital signs stabilized.

A specialized medical team has been formed to oversee Hadi’s continued care. The team is expected to review his test results and determine the next phase of treatment later Tuesday. Hadi remains under intensive observation as his recovery progresses, with family members expressing cautious optimism about his condition.

A 16-year-old school student named Siam was killed and another person injured when a truck struck a battery-run rickshaw in Dhaka’s Shyampur Shmashan Ghat area late Monday night. The accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. as Siam and three friends were out riding to celebrate Victory Day. Siam, a sixth-grade student and son of Jahangir Hossain from Cumilla, lived with his family in Gendaria.

Police confirmed that the truck involved in the collision was seized and its driver, Abdul Kader, was detained shortly after the incident. A case has been filed at Shyampur Police Station, and Siam’s body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy around 2:30 a.m. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

The fatal accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Dhaka, where reckless driving and poor enforcement frequently lead to casualties. Officials said further legal action will follow once the investigation report is complete.

Jamaat-e-Islami organized a large youth rally in Satkania, Chattogram, on Bangladesh’s Victory Day, December 16, 2025. Thousands of party and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists joined the procession carrying national flags. The rally began at Keranihat Sea World Restaurant and concluded several kilometers away at Hasmat’s Shop area along the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway.

Addressing a brief assembly before the march, Jamaat central executive member and former deputy speaker Shahjahan Chowdhury said Victory Day represents the foundation of national identity and unity against injustice. He emphasized that despite 54 years of independence, many citizens still face inequality and lack of justice. Chowdhury urged the establishment of accountability and moral governance to fulfill the true spirit of liberation.

Highlighting the role of youth, he stated that Bangladesh’s young population could transform the nation into a welfare state if guided by honesty and discipline. The event was chaired by Chattogram South District Jamaat chief Advocate Anwarul Alam Chowdhury, with leaders from district and sub-district levels in attendance.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), has called for what he termed an 'intellectual war' against Indian influence in Bangladesh. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on Victory Day, he said the country must now fight for true sovereignty following the July uprising, comparing the struggle to the 1971 war against Pakistan.

Pradhan argued that Bangladesh gained independence in name only, claiming successive governments from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Sheikh Hasina failed to assert national dignity before India. He demanded stronger border responses, fair water-sharing through international arbitration, and resistance to what he described as Indian cultural and economic dominance. He also urged boycotts of Indian goods and services and identification of ‘domestic collaborators’.

The remarks, made during a symbolic national commemoration, reflect JAGPA’s nationalist stance and growing anti-India rhetoric within parts of Bangladesh’s opposition. Analysts suggest such statements may heighten diplomatic sensitivities as Dhaka and New Delhi maintain close but occasionally tense relations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) investigators are facing difficulties in uncovering the motive behind the attempted murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Despite several arrests, authorities have yet to identify the mastermind or clear motive behind the shooting, which took place after Friday prayers in Dhaka. Shooter Faisal Karim, previously seen in Hadi’s election campaign, remains a key suspect.

Investigators revealed that Faisal and his associate Alamgir stayed at a resort in Savar’s Ashulia area the night before the attack, accompanied by two women. The next morning, they left for Dhaka, where Hadi was later shot. Police have arrested four individuals so far, including Faisal’s wife, brother-in-law, and a female companion from the resort, all placed on five-day remand by a Dhaka court. Another suspect, the motorcycle owner used in the attack, was earlier remanded for three days.

Hadi has been flown to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment. Authorities continue to probe the planned nature of the attack and possible political motivations.

A 50-year-old motorcyclist named Ibrahim was killed and his relative Salauddin was seriously injured when their motorcycle collided with a mini-truck on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway near Mirshwani in Chauddagram, Cumilla, on Tuesday morning. Police confirmed that the mini-truck, reportedly coming from the wrong direction, struck the moving motorcycle with force, killing Ibrahim on the spot.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, Ibrahim and seven others had departed from Demra, Dhaka, on six motorcycles late Monday night, intending to travel to Bandarban and later Cox’s Bazar. Their journey was cut short by the fatal crash. Local residents helped rescue the injured and transported them to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Ibrahim dead. Salauddin was later transferred to Dhaka’s National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation for advanced treatment.

Police have recovered the body and initiated legal procedures before handing it over to the family. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns on major highways, where wrong-way driving and reckless overtaking remain persistent causes of fatal accidents.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed hope that the upcoming national election on February 12 will open a new chapter in the country’s political history. Speaking at a youth marathon organized in Dhaka on Victory Day, he urged the Election Commission and administration to ensure a fair and transparent voting process, warning against any form of manipulation or bias. He emphasized that the people’s mandate must be respected and that any attempt to undermine it would face strong public resistance.

Rahman also reflected on Bangladesh’s political past, criticizing previous governments for authoritarianism, corruption, and suppression of democratic rights. He called for a new political culture focused on justice, integrity, and national sovereignty, led by the country’s youth. Jamaat leaders including Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul also addressed the event, highlighting the party’s vision for a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh.

The remarks come as political parties prepare for the February polls, amid calls for neutrality and accountability in the electoral process.

On Bangladesh’s Victory Day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned that forces defeated in the 1971 Liberation War are attempting to re-emerge. Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, he said the people will resist any conspiracy against the country’s independence and sovereignty. Fakhrul announced that acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on December 25 to intensify the party’s pro-democracy movement.

Fakhrul emphasized that Victory Day holds special significance for the BNP, as Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of independence marked the beginning of the war that culminated in victory on December 16, 1971. He reiterated the party’s commitment to preserving independence and establishing democracy in Bangladesh. The BNP leader also expressed deep respect for the martyrs of the Liberation War and prayed for the recovery of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who remains critically ill.

The statement underscores BNP’s attempt to rally supporters around nationalist and democratic ideals amid ongoing political uncertainty and leadership transitions.

Digital investigative outlet The Descent has identified a third suspect in the attempted murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The suspect, Zakir Hossain, also known as 'Jinn Zakir', was reportedly active in Hadi’s election campaign and maintained contact with the two primary suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and his motorcycle driver, Alamgir Hossain.

According to The Descent, Zakir was previously arrested in October 2024 in connection with two robbery cases in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Gabtoli areas. Police records and a prior Facebook post by Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirm his involvement in a high-profile robbery case. Daksu’s Liberation Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma publicly urged citizens to help locate the three suspects, sharing a campaign photo marking them.

Zakir was released on bail in July 2025 following a High Court order. The identification of his alleged role in the shooting raises questions about background checks within political campaign teams and the coordination between law enforcement and political organizations in tracking violent offenders.

On December 16, 2025, political psychologist Dr. Ahmad Anisur Rahman published a reflective essay tracing Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War to a broader historical continuum of civilizational struggles. He argues that the war was not an isolated event but part of a millennia-long resistance by the Bengali people to preserve their land, culture, and identity against successive waves of foreign domination.

Dr. Rahman situates the roots of Bengali identity in ancient Dravidian and Semitic civilizations, suggesting that the struggle for liberation began with early conflicts between indigenous populations and invading Aryan groups. He contends that the 1971 war represented the latest phase of this enduring quest for autonomy and cultural preservation. The essay blends historical interpretation with anthropological and linguistic analysis, emphasizing that understanding these deep roots is essential to grasping the true spirit of Bangladesh’s independence.

The piece has drawn attention among historians and cultural scholars for its sweeping historical scope and its call to view national liberation as a recurring theme in Bengali civilization. It underscores the continuing relevance of liberation ideals in shaping the nation’s political and cultural future.

A recent historical analysis revisits the 1971 surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, highlighting the absence of Bangladesh’s Liberation Army Commander-in-Chief, General M.A.G. Osmani, from the ceremony. The article argues that India’s dominance in the surrender proceedings and its earlier agreements with the provisional Bangladeshi government limited Bangladesh’s autonomy in the immediate post-war period.

According to the account, India’s military and political leadership sought to frame the conflict as an India–Pakistan war, sidelining the Mukti Bahini’s contribution. The piece cites alleged secret accords between India and the provisional government, which allowed Indian officials and troops to remain in Bangladesh temporarily and influenced the formation of the paramilitary Rakkhi Bahini. Eyewitnesses and historical sources suggest Osmani’s absence stemmed either from Indian obstruction or his own protest against subordination.

The analysis concludes that these events left enduring questions about the completeness of Bangladesh’s independence and the extent of India’s influence in shaping the new nation’s early governance and security structures.

Bangladesh Betar, the state-owned radio broadcaster, celebrates its 85th anniversary on December 16, 2025, coinciding with Victory Day. Established in 1939 on Nazimuddin Road, Dhaka, the institution has played a defining role in the nation’s history—from broadcasting the 1971 Liberation War’s message of resistance to serving as a stabilizing voice during the 2024 mass uprising. Throughout decades of political upheaval, Betar has remained a trusted medium for verified information and national dialogue.

During the Liberation War, the ‘Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra’ became a symbol of defiance and unity, inspiring freedom fighters and civilians alike through news, songs, and cultural programs. In 2024, amid widespread misinformation on social media, Betar again emerged as a reliable source, emphasizing truth and constitutional continuity. Analysts note that its balanced reporting helped reduce public anxiety and foster civic trust.

As Bangladesh navigates post-uprising reforms, Betar’s continued relevance underscores the enduring importance of public broadcasting in promoting democratic inclusion, national identity, and responsible communication.