The High Court has upheld the 1961 Muslim Family Law Ordinance, confirming that a man cannot remarry simply by obtaining his first wife's consent. To enter a second marriage, he must pay a prescribed fee and secure written approval from an arbitration council. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Supreme Court lawyers stated that the ruling maintains the existing legal framework and ensures equal rights for both men and women in family life.

Officials from the Law Ministry clarified that recent media reports claiming men no longer need their first wife's permission for a second marriage were false and amounted to contempt of court. They emphasized that the High Court did not issue any such ruling. Supreme Court lawyers also expressed surprise at the misinformation, noting that the court’s decision reaffirmed the validity of the 1961 ordinance and required its full enforcement.

The ministry warned that misleading media coverage could create public confusion about the judiciary. Legal experts urged journalists to verify facts before publication to prevent misinterpretation of court rulings and avoid undermining public trust in the legal system.

The article by Ali Osman Shefayet revisits the events of May 1981, when Bangladesh faced a sovereignty crisis over the newly emerged South Talpatti Island in the Bay of Bengal and simultaneously lost its president, Ziaur Rahman, in a military uprising. The piece recounts how Zia resisted India’s deployment of forces on the disputed island, sending Bangladeshi naval gunboats to confront Indian ships in what became the country’s first direct maritime standoff. Under Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan’s command, Bangladesh’s firm stance forced India to withdraw and declare the island a no man’s land.

The author links Zia’s uncompromising defense of maritime sovereignty with his broader regional vision, including efforts to form SAARC as a counterbalance to regional dominance. His assassination on May 30, 1981, is portrayed as a turning point that weakened Bangladesh’s claim over South Talpatti. Later governments failed to maintain his hardline diplomacy, and by 2014, the island was legally awarded to India. The article argues that both Zia’s death and the island’s loss remain intertwined symbols of Bangladesh’s struggle for sovereignty and leadership courage.

Two people were killed and at least twelve others injured when a passenger bus lost control and overturned after hitting a road divider in the Meherabari area of Valuka upazila, Mymensingh, on Thursday evening. The Mymensingh-bound bus crashed around 7 p.m., killing passenger Shahjahan Siraj, 40, on the spot. The bus helper, Md. Anik Mia, 28, died later at the hospital from his injuries.

Rescuers took the injured to Valuka Upazila Health Complex, and two critically injured passengers were later transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. The deceased were identified as Shahjahan Siraj of Birunia village in Valuka and Md. Anik Mia of Jagannathdia village in Ghior upazila, Manikganj.

Eyewitnesses said the bus was speeding when it lost control and hit the divider, causing panic among passengers. The officer-in-charge of Bharadoba Highway Police Station, ABM Mehedi Masud, confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies were recovered and would be handed over to families after legal formalities. The bus has been seized and kept under police custody.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled three leaders from Noakhali for violating party discipline by running as independent candidates against official nominees in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The expulsion was confirmed on Thursday through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The expelled members include Kazi Mofizur Rahman from Noakhali-2, and Engineer Mohammad Fazlul Azim along with Engineer Tanvir Uddin Rajib from Noakhali-6.

According to the press release, the decision was part of a broader disciplinary action under which a total of 57 BNP leaders across the country were expelled for engaging in activities contrary to the party’s policies, ideals, and discipline. In Noakhali-2, BNP’s nominated candidate Zainul Abdin Faruk has begun campaigning with the party’s symbol, while in Noakhali-6, Mahbubur Rahman Shamim is leading the campaign as the official nominee.

The expulsions underscore BNP’s effort to maintain internal discipline and unity ahead of the national election, as the party seeks to prevent internal divisions from affecting its electoral performance.

Fifty foreign journalists and seventy-eight international observers have expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh to monitor the upcoming parliamentary election, according to Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He made the announcement on Thursday after a meeting with various government ministries, departments, and mobile banking institutions regarding election-related arrangements. Ahmed also confirmed that mobile banking services will not be completely suspended during the election period, though operations will be limited.

The EC secretary stated that eighty-three foreign observers had already been invited, with thirty-six confirming participation and five declining. The rest have yet to confirm. The invited observers are expected to stay at the Intercontinental Hotel during the voting period. Additionally, fifty-eight European Union observers are currently monitoring pre-election activities. Ahmed noted that the total number of foreign observers could approach three hundred.

He further explained that vote counting will take longer this time because voters will cast ballots on two separate papers, which will extend the counting process beyond the usual timeframe.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman concluded seven election rallies within 16 hours on the first day of his campaign, returning to his residence in Gulshan late at night. The campaign began at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday at the historic Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet, marking the formal start of BNP’s election activities. He then addressed consecutive rallies across several districts in the Sylhet division and nearby areas.

As part of the daylong tour, Rahman attended rallies at Ainpur field in Sherpur, Moulvibazar; Shayestaganj Upazila Parishad field in Habiganj; Kuttapara field in Sarail, Brahmanbaria; Bhairab Stadium in Kishoreganj; and a venue near Narsingdi municipality. The final rally took place in Gausia, Rupganj, Narayanganj, ending around 4:30 a.m. He reached his Gulshan home later that night, confirmed by BNP’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan.

Large crowds reportedly gathered at each location, with enthusiastic participation from party leaders and supporters. According to organizers, the first day of BNP’s campaign drew a strong public response across multiple districts.

Despite the Awami League’s formal suspension, reports indicate that several individuals linked to the banned party are contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh under independent or smaller party banners. Intelligence sources and field investigations have revealed that former ministers, advisers, and grassroots leaders are seeking nominations through parties such as Ganadhikar Parishad, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Party (JP), and Bangladesh Congress. The Election Commission had earlier warned that proven links to banned organizations would lead to disqualification, but doubts remain about enforcement.

The report highlights multiple constituencies, including Gopalganj, Tangail, Manikganj, Faridpur, Bogura, Khulna, and Chuadanga, where candidates with Awami League ties are running under alternative affiliations. Security agencies have identified these constituencies as high-risk due to possible unrest. Law enforcement has been advised to increase army and border guard patrols to prevent violence or vote center takeovers.

Experts warn that the covert participation of banned political actors poses a new challenge for electoral integrity and long-term political stability in Bangladesh, urging voter awareness and strict monitoring of campaign activities.

A video showing a child being physically and mentally abused inside the office of Sharmin Academy, a school in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan area, went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage and criticism. Following the public reaction, a case was filed at Paltan Police Station under the Child Rights Act. The school has since suspended its operations. The incident reportedly occurred on January 18, and the video surfaced online several days later.

According to police, the woman seen assaulting the child has been identified as the school’s founder and principal, Sharmin Jahan, while the man present in the room is the school manager, Pabitra Kumar. Both have been named as accused in the case and are currently absconding. Police have launched an operation to arrest them and informed relevant authorities to ensure the child’s safety and mental well-being.

The viral video has reignited public debate on child safety in educational institutions. Social media users have demanded stricter oversight, greater accountability in school management, and exemplary punishment to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released the constituency-wise voter list ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. According to the list published on Thursday, the total number of registered voters stands at 127,711,895. Among them, 64,825,151 are male voters, 62,885,524 are female voters, and 1,120 are transgender voters.

The EC data shows significant variation in voter distribution across the 300 constituencies. Jhalokathi-1 has the lowest number of voters at 228,431, while Gazipur-2 has the highest with 804,333 voters. The updated list was made public as part of the commission’s preparations for the national election and referendum.

The publication of the voter list marks a key step in the electoral process, providing clarity on the size and composition of the electorate ahead of the February 12 vote.

A local BNP leader named Hasan Molla was shot by unidentified assailants in front of the party office in Keraniganj, Dhaka, on Thursday night. He was critically injured and taken to Square Hospital in Dhaka for treatment. Local residents demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack.

According to local sources, Hasan Molla, who serves as the general secretary of the Hazratpur Union BNP, was standing on the road in front of the party office when several attackers suddenly opened fire on him before fleeing the scene. Witnesses rescued him and took him to the hospital, where his condition was reported to be critical.

Amanullah Aman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-2 constituency, strongly condemned the attack, suggesting that it might have been an attempt to disrupt the upcoming February 12 election. He urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure exemplary punishment.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said that people deprived of voting for a long time are now rushing to participate like a tidal wave. He claimed that an unprecedented public awakening has emerged in favor of the party’s scale symbol in the Dumuria-Phultala region. Parwar made these remarks on Thursday morning while addressing a street rally and courtyard meeting after an election campaign in Dhamalia Union of Dumuria upazila.

He described Jamaat-e-Islami as a party that has stood the test of time and criticized the country’s 54 years of governance for corruption, looting, misrule, money laundering, interference in the judiciary, and suppression of dissent. He alleged that while opposition activists face false cases and disappearances, ruling party members accused of serious crimes have received bail.

Parwar added that ten parties believing in Islamic ideals, the spirit of the July movement, and the values of the Liberation War have united to build a just Bangladesh. He urged voters nationwide to elect candidates from the ten-party alliance.

Candidates contesting in Barishal’s six parliamentary constituencies have officially begun their election campaigns ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. On Thursday afternoon, BNP-nominated candidate for Barishal-5, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, started his campaign with prayers and public outreach along Sadar Road. Islami Andolan candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim also launched his campaign the same day, distributing leaflets and urging voters to support his party’s symbol.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD) candidate Dr. Manisha Chakraborty began her campaign by paying tribute at the Barishal Central Shaheed Minar before distributing leaflets in various city areas. In Barishal-2, BNP candidate S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu and JASAD candidate Abul Kalam Azad Badol conducted public outreach in Uzirpur and Banaripara respectively. In Barishal-1, BNP candidate Zahir Uddin Swapan and the party’s rebel candidate Engineer Abdus Sobahan also engaged in voter contact and leaflet distribution.

The coordinated start of campaign activities marks the formal beginning of electioneering in Barishal, as candidates intensify efforts to reach voters ahead of the February 12 polls.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on expatriate Bangladeshi voters to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming election by January 25. In a Facebook post published on Thursday night, he urged them to contribute to positive change in the country by casting two significant votes—one in favor of reforming what he described as a 54-year-old corrupt and misgoverned system through a referendum, and another for building a just, corruption-free, and people-oriented Bangladesh.

In his message, Rahman emphasized that every political party has the right to seek votes and encouraged voters to make informed decisions based on recent political developments since July 2024. He reminded expatriates that voting is not only their right but also a sacred responsibility to guide the nation in the right direction.

The post reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s effort to mobilize support among expatriate Bangladeshis ahead of the national election, highlighting themes of reform, justice, and anti-corruption.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman called on supporters to vote for allied candidates under their respective election symbols during a campaign rally in Brahmanbaria on Thursday night. The event took place around 10:45 p.m. at Kottapara Field as part of BNP’s campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Rahman specifically sought votes for the ‘palm tree’ and ‘headgear’ symbols representing allied parties’ candidates.

BNP has extended support to Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, contesting from Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur), and to Maulana Junayed Al Habib, vice-president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, running in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj and part of Bijoynagar). Both candidates are competing under their own party symbols. Rahman told party activists that these allies had stood by BNP during difficult times and urged them to vote accordingly.

The Brahmanbaria rally followed BNP’s campaign launch earlier in the day at Sylhet’s historic Alia Madrasa Field, with subsequent gatherings in Moulvibazar and Habiganj before concluding in Brahmanbaria late at night.

On the first day of campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, fifty-five people, including twenty-two leaders of Islami Andolan, formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Chuadanga. The joining ceremony took place on Thursday night at the football field of Gaidghat village in Makhaldanga Union under Chuadanga Sadar upazila, where the new members were welcomed with flower garlands by Jamaat leaders.

The group joining Jamaat included 22 Islami Andolan leaders led by Shahin Ali, the union’s health affairs secretary, 15 BNP activists led by Rana Ali, and 18 residents from various professions in Gaidghat village. The event was presided over by union Jamaat Amir Mohsin Ali and attended by Chuadanga-1 Jamaat candidate and district assistant secretary Masud Parvez Russell as chief guest, along with several district and upazila Jamaat leaders.

Shahin Ali stated that the decision came due to dissatisfaction with Islami Andolan’s central leadership, while Masud Parvez Russell said the new members were inspired by Jamaat’s ideals and urged unity to ensure victory for the party’s symbol in the upcoming election.