Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has accused the ruling BNP leadership of reversing their pre-election stance on the July Charter and reform initiatives after assuming power. Speaking at a press briefing at Khulna Press Club on June 18, he said the BNP, including the prime minister, had earlier campaigned nationwide in favor of these reforms but now label the referendum and constitutional reform council as illegal and unconstitutional.

Parwar stated that implementing the July Charter reflects the aspirations of nearly 70 percent of citizens who voted in favor during the referendum. He criticized the government for avoiding structural reforms such as limiting the prime minister’s powers, introducing proportional representation in the upper house, and ensuring neutral appointments in the judiciary. He warned that without fundamental reforms, future leaders could again establish authoritarian rule.

He further alleged that despite the end of the previous authoritarian regime, political favoritism continues in local governance through administrator appointments instead of elections. Parwar also criticized deteriorating law and order, extortion, and rising commodity prices, citing specific incidents in Khulna. He announced that an 11-party divisional rally will be held on June 20 at Khulna Circuit House grounds.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, starting on July 2, will be conducted with uniform question papers across all education boards in Bangladesh. He said the decision aims to eliminate disparities among the boards. The minister also assured that contingency measures are in place to handle any disruptions caused by natural disasters during the exams.

At a press conference held at the Ministry of Education, Milon addressed concerns about the spread of coaching centers linked to school admission tests. He said the ministry is reviewing the system to ensure fairness by defining catchment areas and seat allocations. Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin added that the government is introducing new textbooks on sports, culture, and vocational education to make learning more practical and enjoyable.

Dr. Amin also highlighted the nationwide primary school football tournament involving over 1.1 million boys and girls from 65,342 schools, with the final scheduled for June 20 in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed ruled in the Bangladesh National Parliament that members may show respect to the Speaker’s chair or the presiding officer according to their respective religious customs. The decision was announced on Thursday during a parliamentary session following a request raised earlier by Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md. Mujibur Rahman, who questioned whether bowing as a sign of respect conflicted with Islamic principles.

The Speaker explained that under Rule 267 of the parliamentary procedure, members must show respect when entering, leaving, or taking their seats in the chamber. However, he noted that the word “bowing” had been removed from the rule during the eighth parliament after a standing committee review and subsequent approval by the House. This amendment means that members are no longer required to physically bow.

By clarifying the rule, the Speaker emphasized that MPs are free to follow their own religious practices when showing respect in Parliament, aligning parliamentary decorum with individual faith traditions.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasized the importance of practicing religious values and discipline in military life, describing them as essential for upholding the nation’s freedom and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Thursday, June 18, during the President’s Parade marking the commissioning of officer cadets from the 90th long course at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) in Bhatiari, Chattogram.

The Army Chief highlighted that the BMA, established in 1974, has been producing skilled, intelligent, and patriotic officers capable of leading in the 21st century. He noted that the academy’s graduates have contributed significantly both within Bangladesh and internationally through disciplined and principled leadership. He expressed pride and gratitude for the academy’s role in strengthening the army through visionary planning and effective training.

General Waker-uz-Zaman also announced the formal inauguration of the Second Bangladesh Battalion at the academy to enhance training quality, modern facilities, and practical development initiatives aligned with the army’s modernization goals amid changing global conditions.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam declared that the Awami League, which he termed authoritarian, would not be allowed to return to Bangladesh’s political arena. He warned that the party might attempt to regain political activity by spreading confusion on social media. He urged citizens to remain alert against such efforts. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while addressing the inauguration of outpatient and inpatient services at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Children’s Hospital in Bogura, marking the birthday of Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Mir Shah Alam cautioned that misleading campaigns could emerge around June 23, the Awami League’s founding anniversary, aiming to divert public attention. He alleged that certain groups were conducting propaganda to rehabilitate authoritarianism and called for unity against these attempts. He also stated that Bogura had faced political discrimination and development deprivation for 17 years, but the current government had begun development work despite conspiracies.

The minister added that the government planned to expand the hospital’s six-story building to eight stories and acquire an adjacent multistory building to enhance healthcare services.

A Dhaka court has postponed the submission of the investigation report in the Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case for the 127th time. On June 18, 2026, Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman fixed July 22 as the new date after the investigating officer, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul Haque of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), failed to submit the report.

The case involves several accused, including Rafiqul Islam, Bokul Mia, Masum Mintu, Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, and two security guards of the couple’s residence, Palash Rudra Pal and Enayet Ahmed, along with their friend Tanvir Rahman Khan. Among them, Tanvir and Palash are on bail, while the others remain in custody. The journalist couple were murdered on February 11, 2012, and the case has since passed through multiple investigative agencies.

In September of the previous year, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force to complete the investigation within six months, removing the Rapid Action Battalion from the case. The Home Ministry later issued a notification forming a four-member task force led by the PBI chief.

Political activity by the banned Awami League has reportedly intensified in Feni, with fugitive leaders accused of financing and directing operations. On the night of June 17, fugitive former MP Alauddin Nasim, wanted in a student and public killing case, posted a Facebook message warning police officials across the country. He claimed that law enforcement had filed false cases and hinted at a political comeback, invoking the name of party leader Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier that day, activists and supporters of the banned party held a sudden procession on Station Road under the banner of Feni Sadar Upazila Awami League and its affiliated organizations. Nasim shared a video of the rally on Facebook, thanking participants. The banned party’s page claimed the march was led by Sadar Upazila AL secretary Shusen Chandra Shil.

Police later detained four participants from the procession. Feni Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge said legal action was underway, while Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar Majumder stated that all illegal activities would be dealt with firmly.

A police couple in Khulna has been arrested for allegedly assaulting their domestic worker at their home in the Sonadanga residential area’s second phase. The accused, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Poppy Rani Saha and Sanjoy Kumar Sarkar of Sonadanga Police Station, were detained following a case filed by the victim’s mother, Minati Rani Das, on Thursday morning. The 20-year-old victim, Milon Chandra Das, is currently receiving treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at house number 414 on road 6 in the Sonadanga second phase area. Police rescued the injured worker and took him first to the Victim Support Center and later to the hospital’s emergency department, where he was admitted to the surgery ward. Sonadanga Police confirmed that both accused officers are in custody and that departmental and legal proceedings are underway.

Authorities stated that Milon’s treatment is ongoing at the hospital, and further legal steps are being processed.

A half-day strike is being observed in Baruipara Union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., demanding the arrest of those involved in the brutal killing of Badol Morol, president of the local Krishak Dal. The strike, organized by the union BNP and its affiliated bodies, has shut down shops and halted transport on internal routes, causing hardship for daily wage earners and commuters.

All forms of local transport, including CNG-run autorickshaws, battery-powered easy bikes, engine vans, motorcycles, and even bicycles, have stopped operating. Protesters have staged demonstrations at various points, burning tires and blocking roads with bamboo and chairs. The strike follows the June 9 attack that killed Badol Morol and injured Abdullah Morol, a local BNP leader. A murder case was filed on June 11 naming 12 people, but most suspects remain at large.

Police said two suspects have been arrested and efforts are underway to detain others. Local BNP leaders warned of tougher programs if arrests are not made, while a Jamaat-e-Islami leader alleged that BNP-Jamaat is being unfairly blamed and urged a fair investigation.

Salahuddin Ammar, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Ruqsu), has been accused of harassing Nurul Islam Shahid, General Secretary of Nawab Abdul Latif Hall Students’ Union. Shahid made the allegation in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, claiming the incident occurred while watching the Argentina–Algeria World Cup football match at Habibur Rahman Hall field.

According to Shahid, he was invited by Ruqsu Vice President Mustakur Rahman Zahid and Habibur Rahman Hall GS Ashiq Shikdar to sit near them. Shortly after, Ammar and Assistant Sports Secretary Abu Sayeed Sami arrived, and Ammar allegedly pulled Shahid by his shirt collar and forced him out of the restricted area. Shahid said he later expressed unwillingness to participate in future Ruqsu activities.

Ammar denied the allegations, stating that he did not touch Shahid and only asked him to move to maintain order and visibility for female students. Assistant Sports Secretary Abu Sayeed Noon said he was present but could not clearly hear what happened.

Police in Savar arrested Taisir Khan, the joint organizational secretary of the Savar Sadar Union unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), after finding him in possession of yaba tablets. The arrest took place around midnight on Tuesday during a police operation in the Chapain area under Savar Sadar Union. A video showing Taisir Khan allegedly consuming yaba with an associate spread rapidly across social media, drawing wide attention in the area.

According to police and local sources, officers from Savar Model Police Station detained him with two yaba tablets. The station’s investigation officer confirmed the arrest and said legal action had been taken, with the accused sent to court through proper procedures. Following the incident, the JCD expelled Taisir Khan from his organizational post for violating party discipline.

The viral video and subsequent expulsion have stirred local discussion, while authorities continue legal proceedings against the detained leader.

A BNP activist died of a heart attack while greeting a party leader in Chapainawabganj on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of the district jail gate as supporters gathered to welcome Gomostapur Union BNP president Abdullah Al Raihan, who had just been released on bail. The deceased, identified as Mithu Ali, suddenly fell ill during the reception and was taken to the 250-bed district hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local BNP members, Abdullah Al Raihan had been arrested on May 9 in connection with an assault case involving a police officer from Nachol Police Station. His release prompted hundreds of party activists to assemble outside the jail with flowers to celebrate his freedom. District hospital physician Dr. Isharul Islam Tushar said preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was a heart attack.

Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain confirmed that the body was handed over to the family after completing legal formalities.

Train operations in Kurigram’s Rajarhat area were temporarily suspended on Thursday morning after a sand-laden truck lost control and overturned on the railway track near a petrol pump. The incident blocked the line, disrupting the movement of the Romna Mail and Kurigram Express trains. Passengers bound for Dhaka and Chilmari faced severe difficulties as scheduled departures were canceled.

Many Dhaka-bound travelers, arriving at Kurigram station on time, were forced to seek alternative transport to Teesta Railway Station amid adverse weather conditions, often paying extra fares. Railway authorities, local administration, and rescue teams reached the site to remove the truck and restore train operations. Kurigram Railway Station’s in-charge Konika confirmed that efforts were underway to clear the line but could not specify when normal service would resume.

According to railway sources, the Kurigram Express, which usually departs for Dhaka at 7:10 a.m., could not leave the station due to the accident. Authorities said they were working to reopen the route as quickly as possible.

Police in Patiya, Chattogram recovered the body of a missing child, Md. Zayhan, 36 hours after his disappearance. The body, found inside a sack at a garbage dump in Dakshin Gobindarkhil village, was recovered early Thursday through a joint operation by the Detective Branch and local police. Five suspects—Saiful, Shahanur, Niha, Nihan, and Wasifa—were arrested in connection with the case. The body was discovered behind the suspects’ residence.

According to Zayhan’s father, the child was abducted on Tuesday afternoon, and a handwritten ransom note demanding three lakh taka and an unlocked mobile phone was found in their home. Family members initially believed the boy had drowned in a nearby pond, but after failing to locate him, they filed a general diary with Patiya police. Police collected the ransom note as evidence and launched an operation.

Relatives alleged that neighbors abducted the child for ransom and later killed him with a hammer before dumping the body. Police sent the body to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for autopsy, while local residents expressed outrage and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved.

More than a hundred workers at the Palli Rani Dressman garment factory in Chandra Trimor, Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur, fell ill after drinking water on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., when workers began to feel unwell shortly after consuming water at the factory. They were immediately taken to Kaliakoir Upazila Health Complex and other nearby medical centers for treatment.

According to a worker admitted to the health complex, she experienced stomach pain and nausea after drinking a glass of water and later lost consciousness. Another worker said the water had tasted bad for several days, but no action had been taken by the factory authorities. Duty doctor Nowrin Ahmed confirmed that over a hundred patients were admitted, with six in critical condition referred to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.

Factory Assistant General Manager Atikul Islam stated that around 30 to 35 workers were hospitalized and suggested that rainwater contamination might have caused the problem. The factory has been temporarily closed to ensure proper treatment for the affected workers.