The government of Bangladesh has published the Personal Data Protection Ordinance-2025 and the National Data Management Ordinance-2025, marking a historic step in data governance. For the first time, personal data protection laws have been officially gazetted, drawing parallels with the European Union’s GDPR. The new laws aim to make citizen data management transparent, accountable, and legally regulated, with strict safeguards for children’s information. The National Data Governance Authority (NDGA) will oversee implementation, registration, and complaints handling. Unauthorized data collection or use can lead to up to seven years in prison and fines, while cross-border data transfers require equivalent protection abroad. The ordinances will take effect 18 months after publication, giving organizations time to strengthen internal processes and cybersecurity.

Tarek Rahman, member secretary of Am Janatar Dal, has been on a continuous hunger strike in front of the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Dhaka, demanding official registration of his political party. Despite fasting for over 522 hours, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that the commission cannot act beyond legal boundaries. Tarek’s health has deteriorated—he now lies weak, receiving saline, yet remains resolute in his protest. He questioned the EC’s evaluation process, claiming inconsistencies in the reported number of upazilas supporting his party. No further communication has been made from the EC since a deputy secretary’s brief visit earlier in the protest. On November 4, the EC approved registration for three other parties but excluded Am Janatar Dal, prompting Tarek’s indefinite hunger strike at the EC’s main gate in Agargaon.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has dismissed the country’s current political and economic crises as “fabricated dramas” orchestrated by the ruling government. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting in Thakurgaon’s Jagannathpur Union, he accused the government of being disconnected from public suffering and stressed that citizens simply want the right to vote freely. Fakhrul also questioned the credibility of demands made by several parties, including NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, for a referendum and the implementation of the July Charter before the election. Emphasizing that any such reform must not be passed unilaterally in parliament, he said the referendum, if held, should coincide with election day. Urging voters to support the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, Fakhrul described the upcoming polls as his final election, seeking public backing to “end misrule” and “restore democracy.”

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that the government has no concerns regarding the Awami League’s banned “Dhaka Lockdown” program scheduled for November 13. Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat on Sunday, he assured that law enforcement agencies are well-prepared to handle any situation. Chowdhury also rejected recent media reports claiming that 50 percent of the deployed army personnel would be withdrawn, calling them baseless rumors. Earlier, several outlets had reported such a decision, allegedly citing senior officials present at a previous meeting. The adviser emphasized that maintaining law and order remains the government’s top priority, noting that the armed forces, empowered as special executive magistrates since September 17 last year, continue to assist civil administration in ensuring public safety following the political transition after the Awami League’s ouster.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a record-breaking case against 67 individuals, including prominent Chattogram industrialist Saiful Alam, known as S. Alam, accusing them of embezzling and laundering Tk 10,479 crore from Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. The case alleges that the accused colluded to secure massive loans under the names of several S. Alam Group companies—S. Alam Refined Sugar Industries, S. Alam Steels, and S. Alam Trading—violating Bangladesh Bank regulations. The ACC investigation revealed manipulation of bank software, approval of loans beyond legal limits, and transfer of large sums to offshore accounts, including Singapore. Former and current top executives of Islami Bank, along with several S. Alam Group officials, are implicated. Officials describe this as the largest financial embezzlement case in Bangladesh’s history, exposing deep-rooted irregularities in the banking sector.

At a coordination meeting of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Cumilla on Sunday night, the party’s South Region Chief Organizer, Hasnat Abdullah, emphasized the need for a representative parliament free from Indian dominance and fascist influence. He stated that the NCP envisions a Bangladesh-oriented legislature that truly reflects the aspirations of the people. Speaking as the chief guest, Hasnat accused the BNP of deviating from the ideals of its founder, Ziaur Rahman, particularly after the events that unfolded post-August 5. He invited BNP members who feel uncomfortable with the party’s current direction to join the NCP, assuring them of nominations in the upcoming national elections.

Hasnat announced that the NCP will field honest and competent candidates in all 11 constituencies of Cumilla and that the first phase of candidate declarations will be made in the third week of November. This announcement will mark the beginning of the party’s organizational election campaign.

He further said that the next parliament should be formed with individuals who believe in a pro-Bangladesh ideology, communal harmony, resistance to external dominance, democratic uprisings, and national reforms. The meeting was chaired by Barrister Mazharul Islam and attended by several central and regional NCP leaders.

The Election Commission (EC) will schedule its dialogue with political parties once the final code of conduct for candidates and parties is officially gazetted, according to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Speaking to journalists at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, he said the finalization of the code is in its final stages, and the commission aims to make the upcoming national election transparent and participatory by incorporating all parties’ input. EC officials said a tentative date has been set but not finalized yet. The commission has already held discussions with media representatives, experts, civil society, and women leaders. The dialogue will address issues such as the enforcement of the code, candidate behavior, campaign rules, election expenditure, and media roles. The EC emphasized its commitment to consensus and confidence-building to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive election.

Bangladesh’s interim government has established a National Pay Commission to review and propose a new pay scale for public servants, but the final decision will rest with the next elected government. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the interim administration has no authority to approve a new pay structure, though it has initiated the process. The Pay Commission has already begun formulating recommendations and is expected to submit its final report by December. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus earlier announced that the 13th national election will take place in early February, and major political parties have started naming their candidates. The next government formed after the election will determine the fate of the new pay scale. Sources indicate that while groundwork is underway, implementation will depend entirely on the elected leadership.

Tareq Rahman, the general secretary of Amjanatar Dal and a young political leader, ended his 134-hour hunger strike on Sunday night following a personal appeal from BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Tareq had been staging the hunger strike in front of the Election Commission (EC) building since Tuesday, protesting the EC’s decision not to grant official registration to his party. Despite growing health concerns, he had vowed to continue the protest until the registration demand was fulfilled.
Salahuddin Ahmed visited him Sunday evening and urged him to break the fast, after which Tareq was taken to Gonoshasthaya Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Earlier, several BNP leaders—including Ishraque Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi—visited the strike site to express solidarity. Rizvi criticized the EC for approving less significant parties while rejecting Amjanatar Dal, questioning the fairness of the decision. On November 4, the EC initially approved three parties for registration but excluded Tareq’s party, prompting the prolonged protest.

A six-lane railway underpass in TT Para, Dhaka, has officially opened, marking a significant improvement in traffic flow for the area. The underpass, inaugurated on November 8 by retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Cohesion Development, will ease long-standing congestion problems. The underpass has six lanes in total: four for motorized vehicles and two for rickshaws, bicycles, and pedestrians. Vehicles up to five meters tall can pass comfortably, while trains now run above, allowing uninterrupted vehicle movement below. Previously, trains caused delays of up to an hour over just half a kilometer, forcing drivers to take longer alternative routes. The underpass will now improve connectivity for areas including Motijheel, Mugda, Manda, Maniknagar, and Shabujbagh, ending years of inconvenience for local commuters and enhancing the city’s overall traffic management.

From today, assistant teachers of government primary schools across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, demanding a three-point reform to their pay scale and promotion system. Organized by the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, the protest calls for placement in the 10th grade of the national pay scale, resolution of higher-grade advancement after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100% departmental promotions. Multiple teachers’ groups, including the Kashem-Shahin and Shahin-Lipi factions, have joined the movement, expecting around 20,000 participants. Teachers have vowed to continue their protest until the government meets their demands. The movement follows a recent government decision to upgrade head teachers’ pay grades, which assistant teachers say failed to address their long-standing grievances. Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education are reportedly attempting to negotiate with the demonstrators.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police have filed charges against seven drug dealers for the murder of Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Samya. Investigators found that Samya was deliberately killed after he tried to stop cannabis sales in Suhrawardy Udyan. The accused — Mehedi Hasan, Md Rabbi (Kabutor Rabbi), Md Ripon (Akash), Nahid Hasan Papel, Md Hridoy Islam, Md Harun-or-Rashid Sohag (Lambu Sohag), and Md Robin — were part of a drug network led by Mehedi. On May 13, Samya confronted Rabbi for carrying a taser gun, sparking a brawl in which Rabbi stabbed him fatally with a switchblade. Police confirmed Mehedi had earlier armed his associates. Four others present were cleared of charges for trying to protect Samya. Investigators concluded that Samya’s murder was premeditated and motivated by his resistance to drug dealing inside the park.

Youth and Sports Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiya has clarified that the government’s plan to train nearly 9,000 young men and women aims to strengthen national sovereignty and public defence, not to create any militia or armed force. The project will provide judo, karate, taekwondo, and shooting lessons to participants aged 18–35 at BKSP, with 100 training slots over two years and a budget of Tk 28 crore. Addressing public criticism and rumours, Asif said the training involves air guns, not military weapons, and that participants will return to their normal jobs after completion. He alleged that certain “India-leaning groups” are spreading misinformation to discredit the initiative. Emphasising that the program is a pilot project for crisis readiness, he said it aligns with the government’s policy of empowering citizens to defend the nation if ever needed.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has issued an urgent directive instructing all educational institutions to refrain from administering any test or pre-selection examinations for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam until further notice. The announcement, signed by Professor S. M. Kamal Uddin Haydar, Exam Controller of the Dhaka Board, was released on Sunday, November 9. According to the notice, regular classes for twelfth-grade students preparing for the 2026 HSC examination must continue without interruption. The board emphasized that the date for the selection test will be announced later through an official notification. Institutions have been urged to strictly adhere to this directive, as the matter is considered highly urgent. The decision aims to ensure uniform preparation and avoid confusion among students and educational institutions while the board finalizes further guidelines for the HSC examination framework.

Assistant teachers at all government primary schools across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite work abstention from Sunday, 9 November, resulting in the closure of classes in nearly 65,000 institutions. The strike was announced on Saturday evening at a press conference held at the Central Shaheed Minar by Shamsuddin Masud, convener of the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Organisations Unity Council and president of the Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association. He stated that teaching would remain suspended until their demands are met, while teachers will continue a sit-in at Shaheed Minar.

The protest escalated following a police crackdown on teachers holding a “pen-down” demonstration at Shahbag, where sound grenades, tear-shells and rubber bullets were reportedly used. More than a hundred teachers were injured, many requiring hospital care, and several sought refuge in the Dhaka University area. Witnesses said the sound grenades caused many to fall ill immediately.

Teachers are pressing three core demands: elevation of assistant teachers’ salary to Grade 10, a permanent resolution of higher-grade complexities, and a guarantee of 100% departmental promotion. According to the Directorate of Primary Education, the country has 65,567 government primary schools with around 384,000 teachers, all affected by the ongoing shutdown. Meanwhile, another teachers’ group has given the government until 15 November before escalating to phased work stoppages and, ultimately, a potential indefinite hunger strike if no progress is achieved.