The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has officially abolished the long-standing 'silent expel' rule from public examinations. The decision followed instructions from Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, who directed the immediate removal of the provision. The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education issued a notice on Saturday night confirming that Article 29 of the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination Policy, which contained the silent expel clause, is now void.

Earlier that day, during a virtual meeting on ensuring fair conduct of SSC, HSC, and equivalent exams, the minister ordered the cancellation of the practice. He explained that the rule originated from an outdated 1961 policy and had no basis in the 1980 Public Examination Act. The minister emphasized that no unreasonable regulation should exist in exam procedures and that students should not face measures harming their mental well-being.

The decision marks a significant policy shift aimed at modernizing examination governance and ensuring a more transparent and student-friendly environment in Bangladesh’s public exams.

Farmers in Sunamganj are anxious about bringing in their haor paddy crops as harvesting begins in some areas while others remain waterlogged. Many fields are partially submerged, making it nearly impossible to use harvester machines. Concerns have grown over labor shortages, diesel scarcity, heavy rainfall, and flash floods, with farmers frequently watching the skies in fear of further damage.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 755 hectares of paddy have been harvested across 12 upazilas, while 3,189 hectares have been affected by waterlogging. Around 200,000 farmers cultivated 223,511 hectares of boro paddy this season, valued at about Tk 5,000 crore. Officials said 900 harvesters and reaper machines are ready for use, though water levels have limited their operation. Farmers have urged authorities to suspend sand and stone extraction for 15 days to ease the labor shortage.

District officials stated that embankments have been built to protect crops and that water will be drained where necessary. They expect full-scale harvesting to begin next week and finish by May 15 if weather conditions remain favorable.

The Dhaka Education Board has issued new instructions regarding entry to examination centers ahead of the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which begin on April 21. According to a notice signed by Exam Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar, center secretaries have been requested to allow examinees to enter the centers from 8:30 a.m. to reduce traffic congestion and public inconvenience around exam venues. Previous instructions regarding entry into exam rooms will remain unchanged.

Separately, the Ministry of Education has abolished the long-standing 'silent expulsion' rule from the SSC examination policy following a directive from Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan. The Dhaka Board announced that Section 29 of the 2026 SSC Examination Conduct Policy, which contained the provision, is now void. The minister stated that the rule originated from an outdated 1961 guideline and had no basis in the 1980 Public Examination Act.

The minister emphasized that examinations should be held in a positive environment and that no regulation should negatively affect students’ mental health.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has increased fuel prices by 15 to 20 taka per liter, according to a government notification issued yesterday. The Islamist political party Khelafat Majlis strongly protested the decision in a statement released on Sunday, saying the hike has pushed fuel prices to a record high in the country’s history and will intensify inflation and public suffering.

Party leaders Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader questioned the timing of the increase, noting that the government cited global oil price rises and the ongoing Middle East war as reasons, even though the conflict is reportedly nearing its end. They also criticized the government for reducing subsidies under pressure from international lenders such as the IMF and development partners.

The statement further alleged that fuel shortages at pumps, long queues, and mismanagement have already caused insecurity among citizens. Khelafat Majlis demanded an immediate rollback of the price hike and effective measures to ensure national energy security.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has proposed a 15 paisa per kilometer increase in bus fares following a recent rise in diesel prices. The organization’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, made the proposal on Sunday night after reports surfaced of a secret meeting at the BRTA headquarters to discuss fare adjustments. He alleged that influential leaders of the bus owners’ association, with government backing, were attempting to monopolize fare increases through covert negotiations.

Chowdhury noted that in the past, bus fares were reduced proportionally when fuel prices dropped, citing examples of 3 paisa and 2 paisa fare cuts corresponding to fuel price decreases of 3 and 2 taka per liter respectively. He warned that any fare increase beyond the proposed 15 paisa per kilometer, achieved through bureaucratic manipulation, could harm the government’s popularity and provoke public anger. The association called for the prime minister’s intervention to prevent unfair advantages for bus owners.

The statement reflects growing tension between passenger rights advocates and transport operators over fare-setting practices linked to fuel price fluctuations.

Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah announced that a former imam earning Tk 1,500 monthly has become an entrepreneur now earning Tk 45,000 per month. He shared the story on his verified Facebook page on April 19, 2026, highlighting the success of Siddiqur Rahman from Ververi village in Kurigram Sadar. Once dependent on a small income from leading prayers and teaching, Rahman turned to nursery work to support his family.

Over three years, Rahman gained expertise in seed selection, planting, irrigation, and plant care. He began selling seedlings online and gradually expanded his business. With Tk 180,000 in support from As-Sunnah Foundation’s skill-based entrepreneurship program, he established his own nursery named Sabah Agro Valley. The nursery now produces and sells various vegetable seedlings, including tomato, eggplant, chili, papaya, cauliflower, cabbage, and bottle gourd.

According to the post, Rahman currently earns Tk 40,000 to 45,000 per month during peak seasons and Tk 20,000 in off-seasons. The foundation expressed pride and joy in his achievement.

Three Bangladeshi youths were detained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday afternoon while allegedly attempting to bring drugs into Bangladesh through the Par Gopalpur border in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah. According to local residents, the arrests took place in the Madhupur area of India after the youths crossed the border illegally.

The detainees were identified as Shahin, 22, son of Abdul Gani of Par Gopalpur village; Sohag, 27, son of Abu Bakkar of the same village; and Hridoy, 15, son of Hayat Ali of Kanaidanga village. Locals said they entered Indian territory to collect drugs when BSF patrol members apprehended them.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Rafiqul Alam, commanding officer of Maheshpur 58 BGB, confirmed that the trio was detained by BSF while attempting to bring drugs. He said communication had been established with BSF regarding the matter, and the detainees were reported to be in good health under BSF custody.

Two leaders of the Chhatra Dal at Mymensingh Medical College were removed from their positions following a violent clash between two groups at the college dormitory. The central Chhatra Dal relieved senior joint convener Nure Jawad Rutap from his organizational post and Nafiu Islam from primary membership. The incident led to a case being filed by Dr. Ahmad Shafi, brother of seriously injured student Aman Ullah Muaj, naming 32 accused including Nafiu Islam as the prime suspect.

Following the clash, the college authorities suspended all classes and examinations for seven days. Police confirmed that the altercation began on Friday evening over a minor issue. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the case. The central Chhatra Dal also formed a one-member investigation committee led by vice-president Hafizur Rahman Sohan, tasked with submitting a written report within 12 hours.

Two injured students, Mir Hamidur Rahman and Aman Ullah Muaj, are currently receiving treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.

National Chhatra Shakti organized a protest rally and assembly at Dhaka University on Sunday, April 19, 2026, opposing the recent increase in fuel prices. The event took place in front of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Sculpture at 5 p.m., with participation from central leaders and students from various levels.

Speakers at the rally described the fuel price hike as an artificial crisis imposed on the public. They alleged that the government had long used the excuse of a fuel shortage before suddenly raising prices, worsening the cost of living. National Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan said citizens could no longer bear the burden of rising commodity prices and accused the government of creating a false fuel crisis to justify the increase. He also criticized the government’s failure to control prices, maintain discipline in the banking sector, and curb market syndicates.

Other speakers claimed that instead of taking action against syndicates, the government was harassing activists. They demanded the release of activist Hasan Nasim and warned that ignoring public expectations could have political consequences. The protesters called for an immediate reduction in fuel prices and restoration of market stability.

Masrur Anwar Chowdhury, a freelance procurement and supply chain specialist, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he was abducted and tortured by members of the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. He stated that the abduction occurred on March 3, 2020, after he posted on Facebook opposing the visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. According to his testimony, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and held in a small cell where he was repeatedly interrogated about his alleged links to militant groups and his criticism of the Awami League and India.

Masrur described being beaten with a belt and questioned about his activities during the Rohingya crisis. He said he was later moved between cells, where he met other detainees who claimed to have been held for years. After several days, he and three others were presented to the media and then charged in a fabricated militancy case before being sent to jail. He identified RAB-11 officer Alep Uddin as leading his abduction and said he was detained for about ten months before being released on bail.

Masrur demanded justice for his abduction, torture, and the damage caused to his career.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, informed Parliament that as of April 9, 2026, the total outstanding bills owed by public and private power plants amount to Tk 52,300.88 crore. He disclosed this while responding to a question from a ruling party lawmaker during a parliamentary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Qaiser Kamal. The minister added that Petrobangla is owed Tk 11,634.06 crore in gas bills, while Tk 3,891.55 crore remains unpaid for electricity imports from India. He also noted that power plants have bank loans totaling Tk 149,311.26 crore.

Mahmud said the government has introduced fuel cards on a trial basis at several filling stations in Dhaka to enhance transparency in fuel distribution. He further stated that Bangladesh imports 50 percent of refined fuel under direct contracts with countries including Kuwait, Malaysia, China, the UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, Oman, and India, while the rest is procured through open tenders. Crude oil is imported mainly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE via the Strait of Hormuz.

The minister also confirmed that the government has repealed the controversial quick rental power law and initiated efforts to recover embezzled funds allegedly laundered abroad during previous administrations.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah expressed astonishment in parliament on Sunday, April 19, 2026, over the arrest of an individual for sharing a cartoon. He raised the issue during a parliamentary session, questioning why such an arrest would occur in the present time.

Hasnat alleged that the person was arrested under an incorrect law and that bail was being denied even though the offense was bailable. He emphasized the need for ministerial accountability within parliament, stating that if ministers are not held answerable there, lawmakers have no other platform to voice their concerns. He also complained about being deprived of the right to ask starred questions in parliament.

The remarks highlighted ongoing concerns about legal procedures and parliamentary transparency, though no official government response was recorded in the session.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman strongly condemned indecent gestures made by some treasury bench members during the speech of independent MP Rumin Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 in the National Parliament on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Speaking on a point of order under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, he said such behavior had hurt his conscience and was unexpected from senior members of the House.

Dr. Rahman urged the Speaker to ensure proper order and fairness in allowing members to speak, noting concerns about discrimination in speaking opportunities. He emphasized the need to uphold parliamentary decorum and foster a culture of respect in discussions. The Speaker responded by urging all members to maintain parliamentary etiquette and ensure a conducive environment for debate.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam also called for maintaining serial order in granting speaking turns, suggesting that following this practice would encourage new members and make parliamentary sessions more vibrant.

The High Court has issued a rule asking why registration of domestic workers should not be made mandatory across Bangladesh, including in the capital. The rule was issued on Sunday by a bench comprising Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury. The court directed the law secretary, labour secretary, and other relevant authorities to respond within four weeks.

Advocate Khadijatul Kobra represented the petitioner during the hearing. Earlier, she had filed a writ petition seeking a directive to make registration of domestic workers mandatory nationwide. The petition aimed to bring domestic workers under a formal registration system to ensure better regulation and oversight.

The court’s order initiates a legal process that could lead to formal registration requirements for domestic workers if the authorities justify or implement the measure following the rule’s response period.

Five private banks have been integrated into the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s (BIDA) online One Stop Service (OSS) platform. The banks are National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank, One Bank, United Commercial Bank (UCB), Shimanto Bank, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank. The memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday at BIDA’s conference room, chaired by Executive Member Air Commodore (Retd.) Md. Shaharul Huda.

With the inclusion of these banks, investors can now open bank accounts and temporary accounts for foreign investors directly through the OSS portal. BIDA officials said the move aims to ensure faster, simpler, and more modern services for investors by strengthening the OSS platform. Senior representatives from the participating banks, Bangladesh Bank, and the Financial Institutions Division attended the signing event.

Currently, the OSS platform offers 142 services involving 47 stakeholder organizations and has processed over 215,000 applications. BIDA plans to expand the system to provide more than 150 services from 60 institutions and integrate them under the unified BanglaBiz platform.