The Bangladesh Police Service Association has strongly protested remarks made by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shahjahan Chowdhury, who urged party members to bring local administrations under their influence ahead of the next national election. In a statement issued Monday night, the association said such comments undermine the professionalism and neutrality of a key democratic institution and incite political misuse of law enforcement. The association described the remarks as 'ambitious and derogatory' toward the police. Shahjahan Chowdhury, a central executive member of Jamaat and former MP, made the comments at a rally in Chattogram on Saturday, sparking widespread criticism on social media. The association emphasized that the Bangladesh Police operates under the constitution and law, and that attempts in the past to politicize the force have damaged public trust. It reaffirmed that ahead of the February 2026 parliamentary election, the police remain neutral, professional, and accountable to the people.

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari has called for the trial of those involved in the 1971 genocide, similar to the accountability sought for the 2024 massacre perpetrators. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Shahbagh, he announced that a new alliance will soon be formed to represent women, religious scholars, and the interests of Bangladesh. Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami, he accused a political group of trying to control the administration through intimidation. Patwari also criticized the Election Commission, alleging bias and lack of a level playing field ahead of the upcoming elections. NCP’s southern region organizer Hasnat Abdullah claimed that the Awami League and Jatiya Party are obstructing democratic progress. Meanwhile, senior joint secretary Dr. Tasnim Jara said the party has completed most of its candidate interviews, including those of expatriate aspirants, and will finalize the remaining ones soon.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reinstated 65 of its leaders and activists by withdrawing previous expulsion and suspension orders, just three months before the upcoming national election. In a press release issued late Friday, the party announced that the disciplinary actions had been lifted following individual appeals and a central committee decision. The reinstated members include leaders from various districts such as Kushtia, Narsingdi, Sunamganj, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Cumilla, among others. The BNP stated that the decision was made to strengthen internal unity and organizational readiness ahead of the polls. Additionally, the suspension of Mojammel Hossain Mridha, the former general secretary of Majidbari Union BNP in Patuakhali, was also revoked. The move is seen as part of the party’s broader effort to consolidate its grassroots network and reconcile with previously penalized members before the national election.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that only an elected government has the legitimate authority to make long-term national decisions such as the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and strategic decisions regarding Chittagong Port. In a detailed Facebook post, he argued that the current interim government lacks electoral mandate and therefore should not take decisions that could shape Bangladesh’s economic future for decades. Rahman emphasized that while Bangladesh has earned the qualification to graduate from LDC status, it may not yet be fully prepared for the transition, citing economic pressures on businesses, foreign exchange shortages, and export challenges. He also criticized the government for closing off public debate and weakening the country’s negotiating position internationally. Referring to past examples of countries that delayed their LDC graduation, he urged for strategic patience and democratic legitimacy in policymaking, asserting that only a government elected by the people should decide the nation’s future.

Online activist Asif Saikat and filmmaker Anonno Mamun have called for the strictest punishment for Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who was arrested on charges of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah during a musical performance in Ghior, Manikganj. Saikat stated that Sarkar’s comments constituted clear blasphemy and should be dealt with under existing laws, rejecting any call for his release. He also alleged that certain political groups used Sarkar to provoke religious sentiments. Mamun echoed similar sentiments, saying that artistic freedom cannot justify insulting religious beliefs. Following the October 4 incident, widespread criticism erupted on social media, and various Islamic organizations demanded Sarkar’s arrest. Police detained him in Madaripur and brought him to Manikganj, where he was sent to jail after appearing before a magistrate. The case, filed by a local imam, accuses Sarkar of distorting Quranic verses and misleading followers under the guise of spirituality. Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) A K M Shahidul Haque has alleged misconduct during his interrogation by the investigation agency of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. His lawyer, Sifat Mahmud, told Tribunal-1 on Monday that investigators asked Shahidul Haque about the promotion status of the current coordinator, which he described as inappropriate and unrelated to the inquiry. Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam denied the allegation, saying that any complaint should be filed formally. The tribunal scheduled a hearing on the complaint for January 22, coinciding with the submission date for the investigation report in the same case. Shahidul Haque, along with former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and former DMP Deputy Commissioner Md Jasim Uddin Molla, is under arrest in connection with the 2016 Kalyanpur ‘Jahaz Bari’ operation, where nine youths were allegedly killed. The tribunal also set separate hearing dates for other war crimes cases involving former military and police officers.

The Bangladesh Police Service Association has strongly condemned recent comments made by a former Member of Parliament who suggested that police officers should act under the direction of political leaders. The controversial remarks, delivered during a political rally and later circulated widely on social media, called for police to follow politicians’ orders in filing cases and making arrests. In a statement signed by the association’s General Secretary and Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman, the association described the comments as highly inappropriate and contrary to democratic principles. The statement emphasized that the police operate under the constitution and statutory law, maintaining neutrality since the August 5 student uprising. It reaffirmed the force’s commitment to impartiality ahead of the February 2026 national elections, rejecting any attempt to politicize law enforcement. The association urged political figures to refrain from making statements that undermine the integrity and independence of the police.

At a discussion titled 'Education Reform Ideas for Building a Democratic State' held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, Ganosamhati Andolon proposed that the government should take full responsibility for education up to the 12th grade. Party chief coordinator Zonayed Saki emphasized that education reform must align with a productive economic plan ensuring equality and fair resource distribution. He argued for a distinct salary scale and improved status for teachers across all levels, from primary to university. The event, part of the party’s manifesto preparation initiative, also featured education experts and activists who highlighted the need to depoliticize education and ensure universal access to quality learning. Professor Mahbub Ullah stressed that national development depends on mass education, while other speakers criticized the commercialization of education. The discussion aimed to gather expert and public input for Ganosamhati Andolon’s upcoming election manifesto.

Dhaka University (DU) has formed a Central Coordination Committee and four sub-committees to inspect and evaluate the structural safety of its residential halls and academic buildings following a recent earthquake. The central committee, headed by DU Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, was established after an emergency meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. The sub-committees, comprising experts from BUET’s Civil Engineering Department, will conduct technical inspections and assessments of the buildings. Their findings will be made public, and detailed reports will be preserved by the university’s engineering office and respective halls. If any building is deemed unsafe, students will be relocated to safer facilities. The committees include university officials, hall provosts, engineers, and representatives from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The initiative aims to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the university’s infrastructure in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Engineer Ishraq Hossain, a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been appointed as the convener of the newly formed central convening committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Liberation War Generation. Advocate K. M. Kamruzzaman Nannu has been named member secretary, and Dr. K. M. I. Monti will serve as senior joint convener. The committee comprises a total of 101 members. The announcement was made through an official statement signed by Bir Muktijoddha Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, president of the BNP-affiliated Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Council. According to the statement, the formation of the committee was approved by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The new committee aims to strengthen the organization’s activities among the younger generation inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War.

A case has been filed in Manikganj following an attack on followers of jailed Baul artist Abul Sarkar, who was imprisoned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Allah and Islam. The complaint, lodged by the father of injured Baul artist Zohirul Islam, names 200 unidentified individuals. The incident occurred during a human chain organized by Baul artists demanding Sarkar’s release, which clashed with a rally by a group called Touhidi Janata demanding his execution. Several people from both sides were injured in the ensuing violence. Police confirmed that a separate general diary was also filed regarding the incident and that an investigation is underway to identify and arrest those involved. Abul Sarkar, president of the Bangladesh Baul Association, was arrested on November 20 after allegedly making offensive comments during a performance in Ghior, Manikganj. His bail plea was rejected twice by the court, and he remains in custody.

Sylhet District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam has announced an immediate initiative to demolish 23 buildings identified as highly risky in the city’s earthquake-prone zones. The decision follows renewed fears after recent tremors and years of inaction by the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), which had earlier marked these structures as dangerous nearly six years ago. The meeting, chaired by Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi, focused on earthquake preparedness and post-disaster response. Officials and experts discussed evacuation challenges, especially in narrow streets that could hinder rescue operations. The risky buildings include government offices, markets, schools, and residential structures. Experts from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology warned that most of Sylhet’s 42,000 buildings are not earthquake-resistant, with 60–65% built without following proper construction codes. The SCC has formed a committee to review renovation and demolition plans, with authorities emphasizing urgent action to prevent potential disasters and ensure public safety.

Several smaller political groups in Bangladesh have begun discussions to form a new alliance ahead of the upcoming national election, expected in about two and a half months. The initiative, led by the Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, includes parties such as the National Citizen Party (NCP), Gano Adhikar Parishad, Nagorik Oikya, AB Party, and Ganatantra Mancha. Leaders including Hasnat Kayum and Nurul Haque Nur confirmed that talks have gained momentum, though no final decision has been reached. The proposed alliance aims to unite reformist and democratic forces outside the BNP-Jamaat bloc, focusing on decentralization of power and political reform rather than immediate electoral gains. Analysts suggest the alliance may have limited impact on vote outcomes but could hold symbolic importance in shaping post-uprising political narratives. The movement follows the July uprising and reflects growing efforts to create an alternative political platform emphasizing transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance.

Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain stated that the long struggle of Islamic scholars has not been in vain, as Islamic forces have gained the courage to stand firm after decades of persecution. Speaking at a national seminar titled 'Muslim Family Law: Context Bangladesh' organized by the Bangladesh Mosque Mission at the National Museum, he criticized the 1961 Muslim Family Law for containing provisions conflicting with Islamic Shariah. He condemned the practice of 'hilah marriage' as un-Islamic and degrading to women. Dr. Hossain emphasized that only courts, not clerics, have the authority to enforce punishments under Shariah, urging caution in religious interpretation. He reiterated the long-standing demand for implementing Shariah law but noted that real change requires a majority of lawmakers who adhere to Islamic principles. The seminar was attended by leading scholars, academics, and professionals from various sectors.

The largest Pakistan Education Expo in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Pakistan High Commission and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC), showcased academic opportunities for Bangladeshi students. Over 15 leading Pakistani universities participated as part of the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative, announced earlier by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also pledged 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The event was attended by Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Secretary Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, university officials, civil society representatives, and students. Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening educational cooperation between the two nations through student exchange, joint research, and skill development. Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider described the initiative as a symbol of friendship and mutual trust. Following the Dhaka event, similar expos are scheduled in Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Sylhet later in November to reach more students across Bangladesh.