Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman have alleged that an anti-national fascist group is again attempting to play the 'militant card' following several recent incidents, including an explosion at an unregistered madrasa in Keraniganj, a bomb attack targeting Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, mysterious arson at several Hindu homes, and the recovery of 24 electric detonators near the Sunamganj border. They made the remarks in a statement to the media on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The Hefazat leaders claimed that such acts are intended to create fear, disrupt the upcoming national election, and divert public attention from the demand for justice in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi. They accused domestic collaborators of using militancy narratives for political gain and called on the government led by Yunus to take stricter measures to maintain law and order.

Hefazat instructed its members nationwide to hand over anyone found involved in militant or sabotage activities to law enforcement while ensuring that no innocent person is falsely implicated. The organization reiterated that it does not want to see a repeat of what it called 'militant dramas' in the country.

The Bangladesh Railway authorities have called on citizens to refrain from damaging trains, engines, coaches, wagons, and other railway assets. The appeal was made on Monday through a press release issued by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Railways. The statement highlighted recent incidents of stone-throwing at trains, unjustified rail line blockades, and deliberate damage to railway tracks, which have caused financial losses and disrupted train operations.

According to the release, the railway is a state-owned national asset, and any harm to it represents a loss to the nation and its people. The ministry emphasized that preventing such damage is a moral duty of all citizens. It also reaffirmed Bangladesh Railway’s commitment to providing quality passenger services and called for public cooperation to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The statement further warned that any attempt to damage state property, including rail infrastructure, is a punishable offense. Those engaging in illegal acts under political, social, or other programs will face strict legal action under existing laws.

Former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has formally joined the National Citizens Party (NCP). The announcement was made on Monday evening at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, by NCP convener Nahid Islam. He stated that although the NCP has entered its electoral phase, Asif Mahmud will not contest in the upcoming election. Instead, he will work to ensure the success of NCP-nominated candidates and has been appointed as the head of the party’s election management committee.

Asif Mahmud previously served as one of the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement that led the mass uprising of July–August 2024. Following the fall of the then Awami League government on August 5, 2024, he took oath as an adviser in the interim government. He resigned from that position on December 10, 2025, with the resignation becoming effective on December 11, coinciding with the announcement of the election schedule.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has submitted his nomination papers to contest the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat. The submission took place on Monday, December 29, 2025, before the returning officer. Patwari confirmed that he will run under the NCP’s symbol, the Shapla Koli, and described his candidacy as a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, the late spokesperson of Inquilab Monch, who previously represented the constituency.

Patwari stated that he is standing in the seat Hadi once aspired to represent, aiming to fulfill the dreams Hadi had for the area. He acknowledged that Dhaka-8 is a challenging constituency where few are willing to contest, referring to it as Hadi’s seat and expressing readiness to face any risk in pursuing national progress. The report did not mention other candidates or party reactions.

The nomination marks NCP’s attempt to strengthen its presence in Dhaka’s political landscape through symbolic continuity with Hadi’s legacy.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said that the people will resist any attempt at vote rigging. He made the remarks on Monday at the Khulna Deputy Commissioner’s office while speaking to journalists on the final day for submitting nomination papers. Parwar stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is participating in the election based on an eight-party understanding, which has now expanded to ten parties after two more joined the alliance.

Highlighting concerns about possible electoral manipulation and deprivation of voting rights, he urged citizens to remain united to ensure a free and fair election. He also called on voters to support the July Charter by voting “yes” in the referendum scheduled on the same day as the election. Quoting the party’s Amir, Parwar said their struggle has shifted from fighting fascism to combating corruption, aiming for a corruption-free economy and society.

He emphasized that the nation seeks change after 54 years of governance by those he described as tested and failed, expressing confidence that his party will bring that change.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a recently resigned adviser and a leading figure in the July uprising, is reportedly set to join the National Citizen Party (NCP). Multiple sources on Monday, December 29, 2025, indicated that he may be appointed as the party’s spokesperson, although he has not yet publicly confirmed his position. Following his resignation, speculation has grown about his political direction, while he has also announced plans to contest independently from Dhaka-10 and nomination papers have been collected on his behalf for Cumilla-3 (Muradnagar).

In contrast, another former adviser and July uprising leader, Mahfuz Alam, has declared that he will not join the NCP. In a Facebook post titled “My Political Position,” he explained that although he had long collaborated with NCP and the Citizen Committee, he chose to maintain his independent stance. Mahfuz emphasized his commitment to cultural and political resistance against fascism and to fostering a new political-economic framework.

The developments highlight internal realignments among July uprising leaders and suggest possible shifts in Bangladesh’s emerging political landscape.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election will not be extended. He made the statement during a briefing held on Monday afternoon, confirming that the existing schedule for candidate submissions remains unchanged.

The announcement comes as part of the Election Commission’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming national polls. The EC has been conducting briefings and coordination activities to ensure the election process proceeds according to the established timeline. The secretary’s statement indicates that the commission intends to maintain procedural discipline and avoid any delays in the electoral schedule.

Further details about the nomination process and subsequent election stages are expected to be released later, as the commission continues its preparations for the national election.

Administrators, faculty representatives, and trustees from Bangladesh’s private universities have voiced deep concern over the future of the country’s private higher education sector. Their alarm follows the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed amendment to the Private University Act 2010, discussed at an emergency joint meeting in Dhaka attended by over a hundred representatives from 85 institutions. The Bangladesh Association of Private Universities (APUB) issued a statement on Monday warning that without changes to discriminatory and restrictive policies, the sector could face serious instability and conflict.

Speakers at the meeting said private university students bear full tuition fees along with VAT and other taxes but receive no government scholarships, student loans, or research support. They criticized delays in UGC approval for modern programs and PhD initiatives, which they said hinder global competitiveness. Participants argued that excessive regulatory control has left more than 400,000 students and thousands of teachers, researchers, and trustees in uncertainty.

The meeting proposed six key reforms, including forming an independent higher education commission, adopting education-friendly global policies, introducing student loans and research support, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, reviewing VAT and taxes, and ensuring transparent approval processes.

Former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has submitted his nomination papers to contest the upcoming election from the Netrokona-4 constituency, which includes Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri. The submission took place on Monday afternoon at the office of the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman.

Babar, representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated that his candidacy is driven by a commitment to restoring democracy, ensuring people's rights, and advancing the overall development of the Netrokona-4 area. He expressed confidence that with the love and support of local residents, his campaign team will move forward unitedly toward victory.

The report highlights Babar’s emphasis on unity and local support as central to his electoral strategy in the constituency.

A platform named Manch-24 held a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Monday, demanding justice within 25 days for the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. The group also announced four demands, including the immediate arrest of the main killer and accomplices, reform of intelligence agencies before the election, action against anti-national elements in the media, and review of work permits for Indian citizens in Bangladesh.

At the event, Manch-24 convener Fahim Faruqi criticized the interim government for what he described as lenient decisions regarding the murder case, accusing it of leaning toward dominance and aggression. He said Hadi had embodied the 2024 student-people revolution both culturally and politically through his Inquilab Cultural Center and anti-hegemony activities.

Faruqi warned that failure to arrest the alleged killer Faisal would embolden criminal groups and endanger other movement leaders. Inquilab Manch continues its protest at Shahbagh demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

At the International Crimes Tribunal–2 in Dhaka on Monday, investigating officer Ruhul Amin testified that a doctor was pressured to prepare a false autopsy report following the police shooting of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed, described as the first martyr of the July uprising. The statement came during the third day of his deposition in the ongoing trial before a three-member bench led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

Ruhul Amin said Sarowat Hossain Chandan, president of the Rangpur unit of the Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, opposed the protesters during the uprising and pressured the doctor to falsify the report. He testified as the 25th witness in the crimes against humanity case against 30 accused, including former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid. Six accused, including a former proctor and several police and student leaders, were produced in court, while others remain absconding.

As the testimony was not completed, the tribunal scheduled the next hearing for January 6.

Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate and Nagarkanda Upazila Jamaat Amir Maulana Sohrab Hossain has withdrawn his candidacy for the upcoming national election in Faridpur-02 constituency, which covers Nagarkanda and Saltha. His decision came after an eight-party alliance declared Allama Shah Akram Ali, known as Dhola Huzur, as its official candidate. On Monday at 10 a.m., Sohrab Hossain announced his withdrawal through a Facebook post, expressing full support for the alliance’s nominee in the interest of Islamic unity.

The announcement has sparked discussion in local political circles, with party activists describing the move as a significant step toward strengthening unity among Islamic parties. Leaders of the eight-party alliance stated that all members would work together in support of Shah Akram Ali and expressed optimism about achieving favorable results through this cooperation.

Local observers noted that the Jamaat candidate’s withdrawal is expected to bolster the alliance’s position in Faridpur-02 and reshape the electoral dynamics in the constituency.

Former president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Md. Abdul Jabbar, has withdrawn his candidacy from the Narayanganj-4 constituency ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. He announced the decision on Monday through a verified Facebook post, stating that he stepped down in accordance with his organization’s decision and emphasized that the nation’s interest remains the top priority.

In his post, Abdul Jabbar expressed gratitude to his supporters, including members, well-wishers, students, and youth who worked tirelessly during the campaign. He extended his best wishes to Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, the central leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who received the coalition’s nomination for the same seat on Sunday.

The withdrawal marks a shift in the electoral dynamics of Narayanganj-4, as the 10-party alliance consolidates its support behind the NCP candidate following Jabbar’s decision.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon, marking his first appearance there in 17 years. He left his residence on Gulshan Avenue at 3 p.m. and arrived at the office around 4 p.m., where senior party leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and M Rashiduzzaman Millat welcomed him with flowers. Several central leaders, advisers, and staff members were also present during the visit.

Addressing party members, Tarique Rahman said there was no formal event scheduled and requested that roads be reopened quickly to avoid public inconvenience. He asked everyone to pray for each other’s well-being and called on supporters to contribute from their respective positions to rebuild the country anew. He added that he would deliver a speech when future programs are announced.

The visit was seen as a symbolic return to the party’s central hub after a long absence, with Tarique emphasizing unity and collective effort for national reconstruction.

Law enforcement agencies have been unable to arrest Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other top leaders of the party’s affiliated organizations in a war crimes case related to killings during the July Revolution. The prosecution informed International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday that officers visited both permanent and temporary addresses but could not locate the accused. The tribunal, led by retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid with member judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, said further orders would follow after receiving all reports.

The accused include Awami League Joint General Secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Wali Asif Enan. Arrest warrants were issued on December 18 after the prosecution filed formal charges and presented specific allegations against each accused, including three counts against Quader for instruction, provocation, and incitement.

The tribunal will issue its next order once the remaining address report for Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash is submitted.