Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, described in a social post as an “Awami affiliate,” reportedly extended birthday greetings to fugitive Sheikh Hasina. The message drew immediate criticism. In the aftermath, adviser Asif Mahmud posted on Facebook reiterating, “You called me thousands of names for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. That ends the discussion here.” A later reply on Shakib’s Facebook page reads: “In the end someone admitted that because of him I could not wear the Bangladesh jersey or play for the country. Maybe one day I will return to the motherland. I love Bangladesh.” (Note: these posts reflect the original social-media statements and reactions.)

Youth and Sports adviser Asif Mahmud posted on social media: “You called me thousands of names for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right.” His comment has prompted speculation about whom he meant by “one person.” Many respondents on the post have inferred he was referring to cricketer Shakib Al Hasan. One commenter, Abdullah Hil Baki, wrote: “Thank you for that courageous decision. Let the acolytes of Hasina do politics abroad as fugitives — the people of Bangladesh do not want to see such figures back on the playing field.”

BNP leader Aminul Haque said the past 17 years of authoritarian rule have not only hollowed out Bangladesh’s democracy and politicized state institutions, but have likewise politicized and damaged the country’s sporting sector. “Over the last 17 years we have achieved little in sport,” he said, adding that the BNP intends to rebuild a depoliticized sporting environment. Aminul outlined a nationwide plan to use sport to raise healthier future generations across every remote corner of Bangladesh. He said attracting young people — many of whom have been lured into drug abuse over the last decade and a half — into playing fields will be a central part of building a drug-free society. “A decision has been made by Tarek Rahman: if BNP forms the government after the February election, five sports — including football and cricket — will be made compulsory starting from class four in primary school,” Aminul said. “This will help shape healthier future generations and also produce better athletes.” He added that a series of sports programs will aim to produce a qualitative change in Bangladesh’s politics, shifting young people away from traditional partisan thinking toward social transformation through sport.

BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan has said his party rejects all forms of social division, whether in the hills or the plains. Speaking at a Durga Puja venue in Narayanganj, he criticized the proportional representation (PR) system, claiming it is not acceptable to the public. He added that people want to know exactly who they are voting for, not just parties. Commenting on recent unrest in Guimara, sparked by protests over the gang-rape of an indigenous teenager, Moyeen Khan said, “There can be no division among people. BNP believes in unity, not division.”

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged all citizens to set aside divisions and work together to build a just and corruption-free Bangladesh. In a video message marking Durga Puja, Yunus said, “If we remain united, we can defeat any evil force. But without unity, the nation cannot progress.” He stressed that the journey toward equality and integrity, launched through the July uprising, requires collective effort. Yunus also assured that both the government and political parties are working to ensure the Puja festivities remain peaceful and thanked those who have worked tirelessly to make it possible.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Bir Bikram Oli Ahmed criticized what he called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s affinity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it has frustrated the Bangladeshi public. “Modi has never acted in Bangladesh’s best interests,” he said. “We are not against Hindus in India or the Indian people, but we oppose the government currently in power there. We will also oppose anyone who acts as India’s agent.” Oli accused a small group of business magnates — singling out the S Alam conglomerate as controlling a disproportionate share of national wealth — of thriving under what he described as Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule, and blamed the current Indian prime minister for enabling that concentration of wealth. He added that public office should not be a private relationship and called for candidates to be elected by direct popular vote. With Durga Puja approaching, he urged vigilance and protection of minority communities, calling them “our entrusted citizens,” and warned that actions taken from abroad could destabilize Bangladesh.

AFM Solaiman Chowdhury, founding convener of the AB Party, has formally rejoined Jamaat-e-Islami after submitting a membership form at the party’s central office on Saturday. He had announced his resignation from the AB Party on Thursday via Facebook, explaining that the movement’s broad national engagement goals were not being met. Solaiman Chowdhury said the AB Party had become a Dhaka-centric organization and that district leaders were resigning and leaving the party. He lamented that the original commitment to mobilize the public nationwide had evaporated. A long-time Islamist activist, Solaiman Chowdhury joined Islami Chhatra Shangha in 1964, entered Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh in October 1975, and became an official Jamaat member (Rokon) in January 1976, later serving as the party’s central health secretary that same year.

Following a Facebook photo-card in which Jamaat leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher is quoted as saying he hopes India will intervene — claiming such an intervention would erase the “stigma” imposed in 1971 and allow Jamaat to prove itself as a true freedom fighter — the president of the student front strongly condemned the remarks. The student leader said those who, out of fear of “killer Hasina,” spent the past 15½ years sheltering under the ruling party’s flag and serving as campus enforcers have now been publicly mocked by their former parent organization. He criticized the organization’s top leaders for continuing to coordinate with the Awami League even after some of their leaders were executed, and for having little to no visible record of dissent against “killer Hasina” on social media or police records during the last 15½ years. “This is a cruel mockery of the struggle and sacrifices we made over the past 15½ years,” he said, condemning Taher’s comments as reckless and offensive.

Hefazat’s Amir and Secretary General said in a joint statement that separatist militant groups operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts engage in activities that undermine national sovereignty and are routinely involved in crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, enforced disappearance, and ransom. These actions, they said, have made life intolerable for both the local Bengali population and ethnic communities living in the hills. The statement accused separatist groups, allegedly supported from across the border, of trying to portray the military — which is tasked with protecting landowners, Bengalis and geographic security — as the enemy. Hefazat stressed that residents of the hills are citizens of Bangladesh and that those identified as separatist organizations should be declared traitors. They called for the development of a state security policy focused on the vulnerable Chittagong Hill Tracts. Hefazat urged the government to strengthen military security measures in the region and warned against long-standing international conspiracies aimed at severing the hills from Bangladesh to form a Christian state. The group pledged the support of patriotic, religiously observant students and citizens alongside the armed forces and border guards to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

A 12-party alliance held talks with the Left Democratic Alliance and several progressive political parties to discuss implementation of the July national charter. Participants advised against unnecessary delays by the reform commission on matters not essential to the charter and urged continued momentum for the election-focused reform process. Leaders at the meeting emphasized that Bangladesh has boarded the “election train” and must keep that journey moving. The 12-party alliance said attendees agreed, for the sake of national consensus, to sign implementation commitments and pledges even if compromises are required. They warned against any pretext that could obstruct the election and stressed that there is no alternative to democracy. Left-alliance leaders cautioned that holding referendums on election day could create complications. They also recommended that fundamental constitutional reforms be implemented in the next parliament rather than through emergency measures.

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman said that conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are comparatively improving and that this is the moment to take substantive political steps. Speaking at a discussion organized by the U.S. State Department, he recalled Bangladesh’s own history of mass atrocity and displacement half a century ago, when nearly a million Bangladeshis fled across the border into India before returning after the conflict ended. Khalilur Rahman reported that the Arakan Army now controls some 85–90% of Rakhine territory and that Bangladesh maintains regular communications with the group. He said Arakan Army representatives recently sent him photographs showing internally displaced Rohingya returning from camps and engaging in dialogue with the Arakan Army as they returned to their home villages. “As we move forward, we must come together in the coming months. We will invest politically in resolving this crisis and must make that commitment both to ourselves and to the refugees,” he said, adding that Bangladesh does not want to keep spending on refugee camps indefinitely. “Within three to four years, we should not be funding refugee encampments. Rather, part of those funds should be invested inside Myanmar so Rohingya can begin new lives and reclaim their futures.”

Awami League Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed, whose political activities are currently banned, has been placed on life support at Dhaka’s Square Hospital. His family has requested prayers for his recovery. Ahmed, who has long relied on a wheelchair following a stroke that left part of his body paralyzed, has been under regular medical supervision. A nine-time Member of Parliament, he was last elected from Bhola-1 in a controversial “dummy election.” He also served for years as a Presidium member of the Awami League.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser, appealed for active cooperation and contributions from expatriate Bangladeshis in the country’s national reconstruction. Speaking about the post-July popular uprising reforms, he said that members of the diaspora can play an important role — commensurate with their abilities — in advancing the change that Bangladesh is striving for. “Gone are the days when we would stand in the distant gallery and merely watch. The days of sitting in the gallery are over. Now we will play ourselves,” he declared. According to the press wing, several Bangladeshi political figures traveling with him attended the event; the Chief Adviser expressed gratitude to them and said their agreement to join increased his confidence. Dr. Yunus also thanked expatriate Bangladeshis for contributing to more than 21% growth in remittances and highlighted government initiatives to create an investment-friendly environment. He called for their continued support and outlined the voting process for the general election scheduled for February next year, urging diaspora engagement in Bangladesh’s democratic future.

The Parbatya Chattagram Chhatra Parishad (PCSC) has called for a ban on the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), accusing the group of orchestrating violence during blockades in Khagrachhari. At a human chain protest near Raju Sculpture in Dhaka, PCSC leaders alleged that UPDF leaders Michael Chakma and Rani Yan Yan are fueling conflict in the hills, leading to attacks on civilians and the army. They warned that diverting attention from the real culprits and avoiding lawful action could spark communal tensions. Yesterday, Dhaka University students had also demanded a ban on UPDF and the arrest of Rani Yan Yan, accusing them of exploiting the recent rape case to incite violence, attack security forces, and destabilize the region. Protesters claimed Awami League and Indian conspiracies were backing the unrest.

NCP convener Nahid Islam has pledged that the party’s election manifesto will ensure equal dignity and rights for all citizens, regardless of community or faith. After visiting Dhakeshwari Temple during Durga Puja, Nahid urged the government to guarantee security so that Hindus can celebrate their festival without fear. He stressed that NCP will ensure participation from all communities in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. “Since the July uprising, we have been working toward building an inclusive Bangladesh, based on unity across religion, ethnicity, and ideology,” Nahid said. He acknowledged that while the interim government tried to address many demands of the Hindu community, much remains unfulfilled. “Our manifesto will reflect the vision of equal rights and dignity for every citizen,” he affirmed.