Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the era of political godfathers had ended under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership and vowed not to let a new generation of such figures emerge. He criticized the ruling Awami League for allegedly exploiting Cox’s Bazar in the name of tourism, turning it into a hub of drug trafficking. He emphasized the need for environmentally friendly tourism and the protection of local people's rights. On the Rohingya issue, Nahid said, “We have compassion for the Rohingya, but hosting them indefinitely is unjust to the people of Cox’s Bazar.” He urged for a prompt solution to facilitate their repatriation.

At the rally, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar called on young voters to support the party in upcoming elections. “To build a new Bangladesh based on good governance, the first vote of the new generation should go to the ‘Scales’ symbol,” he said. Porwar claimed Jamaat is the most oppressed political group in the country. “By Allah’s mercy, we have stood beside the families of countless martyrs, unlike any other political party,” he added.

BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has stated that his party has often had to bear the burden of Jamaat-e-Islami’s controversies. “People used to say BNP was a democratic party, one that contributed to the Liberation War. So why associate with war collaborators?” he questioned during a protest in Tangail Press Club against derogatory remarks about Ziaur Rahman and Tarique Rahman. Tuku announced that Tarique is calling for national unity against fascism and has plans to form a national government. Addressing Jamaat, he warned, “If you obstruct the people’s rights, you too will face rejection from the public.”

Dhaka, July 19 – Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman collapsed on stage toward the end of a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan while delivering his speech. He was quickly assisted by party members and resumed his address while seated on the stage. Before falling ill, Dr. Rahman urged party members to uphold the values of sacrifice and humility. Reflecting on the legacy of the 24 martyrs, he warned against arrogance and disdain toward other political groups, stating, "Pride and contempt, if left unchecked, can lead to fascism." Although the incident caused concern among attendees, the situation quickly returned to normal.

In a striking display of public mobilization, thousands of people walked over eight kilometers to join Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, due to an absence of available vehicles on the roads. Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP, expressed astonishment on Facebook at the massive turnout, calling it a “historic event” for those who have been politically sidelined for the past 16 years. Jamaat-e-Islami presented a seven-point demand during the rally, including calls for free and fair elections, justice for mass killings, fundamental reforms, proportional representation in national elections, and ensuring voting rights for expatriates.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that his party was not officially invited to Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally. Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Taher clarified that only parties supporting Proportional Representation (PR) were invited. The event formally began at 2 PM with Quran recitation, featuring speeches from party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. Jamaat organized the rally to press for a seven-point charter of demands.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir clarified that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is not a revolutionary organization but a liberal democratic political party. Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, he stated that BNP lacks the capacity and courage to seize power through revolution. Instead, the party aims to come to power through elections with public support to build a welfare-oriented state. The event was attended by leaders from various democratic and progressive platforms.

On July 19, 2024, Bangladesh experienced the second consecutive day of a nationwide "complete shutdown" marked by violent clashes and widespread unrest. At least 67 people were killed across the country, with 62 deaths reported in Dhaka alone. Fatalities were also confirmed in Rangpur, Savar, Sylhet, and Narsingdi. The unrest led to hundreds of injuries, including students, political activists, police officers, journalists, and civilians. Violent confrontations erupted between law enforcement, members of the opposition—including BNP—and student protesters. Government and private offices, police stations, and BRTA offices were attacked, torched, or vandalized. Key parts of Dhaka were brought to a standstill as public transport and rail services were suspended. A curfew was imposed, and military forces were deployed in the capital. Protesters rejected the government's call for dialogue and issued a nine-point list of demands. In response, the government adopted a hardline approach while citizens held human chains calling for peace and stability.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a national rally in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, inviting several anti-fascist parties but notably excluding its former ally BNP and the AB Party. Jamaat cited BNP’s opposition to the proportional representation (PR) system as the reason for exclusion, stating it would cause discomfort for both sides. Despite AB Party's support for PR, it was not invited due to internal resentment toward its leader Mujibur Rahman Monju, who regularly criticizes Jamaat. The move signals a growing rift in the opposition landscape.

Authorities in Gopalganj have eased the curfew from 6 AM to 8 PM today following recent deadly clashes during an NCP rally that left five people dead. With the partial relaxation, some public movement has resumed, especially for essential shopping, though overall activity remains subdued. Markets and shops remain closed due to the weekend, and the town has not yet returned to normal. The situation follows a series of violent incidents involving arson, vandalism, and clashes on Wednesday.

Prominent political figure Dr. Faizul Haque has declared that the future of Bangladesh belongs to Islam and the Kalema (declaration of faith). Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, he condemned all forms of discrimination among Islamic scholars and emphasized the need for nationwide political unity. He strongly criticized extortion, terrorism, and violence, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. Referring to the 2013 executions of Jamaat leaders, he demanded justice. Dr. Haque also dismissed the continued use of the term “razakar” (wartime collaborator), calling it outdated and politically motivated. “Anyone who tries to tarnish Islamic heritage under the guise of that term will be met with a strong response,” he warned, urging collective readiness for such challenges.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that no autopsies were conducted on the victims of the recent Gopalganj incident because the families took the bodies before post-mortem examinations could be carried out. However, he added that if required, authorities may exhume the bodies for forensic examination. Speaking to the media after inspecting the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, he also mentioned that an inquiry committee will investigate whether any administrative negligence contributed to the incident. Regarding the airport terminal, he said he currently has no specific information about its official launch.

Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to operate a three-year mission in the country. The mission will provide training and technical assistance to both government and non-government institutions, aiming to prevent human rights violations, investigate past abuses, and support compliance with national and international obligations. The government emphasized that the mission does not represent a foreign social agenda but will operate within the framework of national laws and cultural values. It also clarified that the state reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement if deemed necessary for national interests.

There is no uncertainty surrounding the upcoming national elections, according to Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Speaking to reporters at an event at Comilla University, he assured that the elections will be held on schedule, as announced by the Chief Adviser, and all parties will have equal opportunity to participate. He also noted that discussions are ongoing between political parties and election commissions regarding the proportional representation (PR) voting system.

Renowned Telugu film actor and comedian Fish Venkat passed away on July 18 in Hyderabad due to complications related to kidney and liver failure. He was 53 years old. With a career spanning over two decades, Venkat began his journey in the Telugu film industry with the 2001 hit Khushi. Over the years, he acted in more than 150 films and earned a loyal fanbase for his comedic timing and character roles. His final appearance was in the film Coffee with a Killer. Despite the critical nature of his illness, Venkat's family reportedly struggled to raise the ₹50 lakh needed for his treatment. According to the family, they were misled by a fraudster who claimed to be an assistant of superstar Prabhas and promised financial support. The claim turned out to be false, and due to delays in receiving a kidney transplant, his condition deteriorated beyond recovery. Fish Venkat's death has sparked conversations in the Telugu film industry about the need for better support systems for veteran artists facing health and financial crises.