BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has declared that Awami League should be banned from Bangladeshi politics, citing alleged genocide and crimes against humanity. He criticized what he described as contradictions in government actions—calling for Awami League’s prohibition while still allowing their programs and using police to suppress opposition activities. Salahuddin emphasized that BNP had previously proposed amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to prosecute Awami League as an organization. He warned that any political or administrative decision to regulate Awami League’s activities without a formal trial would be a weak move.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has received the report from the Judiciary and Public Administration Reform Commission. Although the report was scheduled for submission last month, the commission’s head stated that fieldwork delayed the process. The report contains over 100 recommendations, though specifics were not disclosed. The commission was initially formed on October 8 to address reforms in public administration and the judiciary.

Police have arrested Sujanagar Upazila Awami League President and Mayor Abdul Ohab. Earlier, 12 individuals were arrested in connection with his forcible release from police custody. Locals claim that Ohab surrendered voluntarily, while police state that he was arrested based on secret intelligence while in hiding. Ohab had been previously arrested last Saturday but was forcefully taken away by hundreds of Awami League activists and local residents.

An Indian citizen, Akhtar Jamal Roni, was shot by the Border Security Force (BSF) while returning from Bangladesh illegally on Tuesday (Feb 4). According to BSF Tripura Frontier, Roni had entered Bangladesh on Monday to attend a religious event and was accompanied by a woman. BSF claims they fired in self-defense following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). While Roni was injured and taken to GBP Hospital in Agartala, the woman managed to escape to a nearby village.

In a meeting with Nirapad, an organization working for worker safety, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that labor law reforms are being undertaken to meet International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. During the meeting, Special Envoy of the Chief Advisor, Lutfi Siddiqui, mentioned that the government has already signed an 18-point agreement with labor unions and manufacturers, bringing stability to the sector. Nirapad Chairperson Simon Sultana thanked the Chief Advisor for initiating these reforms in the garment sector.

The High Court has acquitted all the defendants, including nine individuals previously sentenced to death, in the assassination attempt case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The appeal and death reference hearing took place on January 30. The case dates back to September 23, 1994, when Hasina was traveling by train from Khulna to Saidpur. BNP leader Zakaria Pintu and his associates allegedly attacked the train with gunfire and explosives at Ishwardi Station in an attempt to assassinate her. In 2019, nine individuals were sentenced to death, while 25 others received life imprisonment.

On February 4, students in Kaliganj surrounded the local police station, demanding the arrest of a dismissed lecturer from North Bengal College in Lalmonirhat. Lecturer Tamanna is accused of vandalizing a police vehicle and assaulting the officer-in-charge (OC). She had earlier organized a human chain protest demanding the resignation of the college principal and the Upazila Executive Officer. However, local residents and students disrupted the protest. Later, she staged a hunger strike in front of the Kaliganj police station but had to take shelter inside due to pressure from protesting students. The students are demanding her immediate arrest.

India has stated that the installation of barbed wire fencing along the Bangladesh border aims to prevent cross-border crimes. According to a statement titled Fencing on the India-Bangladesh Border, the total border length between the two countries is 4,096.7 kilometers, of which 3,232 kilometers have been fenced. The construction adheres to all protocols and agreements, and India expects continued cooperation from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, 864 kilometers remain unfenced due to issues like wetlands and land acquisition, with 174 kilometers deemed impossible to fence for these reasons. Additionally, BGB has raised strong objections to fencing in certain areas. These details were disclosed by India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The student leaders who spearheaded the July uprising are set to launch a new political party. Alongside top leaders from the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, student representatives currently in the government may also be part of this initiative. Before assuming political roles, they will resign from their current positions, but they want to ensure student representation remains in the government. These details were revealed in a report by Dainik Manabzamin. It is also reported that three advisors may resign in phases, though no final decision has been made yet. Changes in the advisory council are expected, and a joint convenor of the new party hinted that one student representative might join the advisory panel.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam accused BBC Bangla of being biased in favor of Sheikh Hasina in a Facebook post. He alleged that the media outlet omits key details when reporting on Hasina, particularly her alleged escape to India. He accused Hasina of ordering mass killings, unprecedented violence, looting, corruption, extrajudicial killings, and the disappearance of over 3,000 people before fleeing to India. He also cited a Human Rights Watch report that claimed Sheikh Hasina was responsible for issuing orders related to killings and disappearances.

Advisor Nahid Islam stated that BNP has no political agenda beyond discussing elections. He acknowledged that the government is willing to consider reforms but accused BNP of unnecessarily pressuring authorities. However, he viewed this pressure positively. He emphasized that reforms and elections should not be seen separately, as reform commissions are prioritizing election-related changes. He urged BNP and Jamaat to focus on unity and time management, warning that governing without reforms would be difficult for any party. Despite acknowledging that the government has not met 50% of public expectations in the past six months, he expressed the government’s commitment to reforms, justice, and the rehabilitation of martyrs’ and injured families.

BNP’s Information Secretary, Azizul Bari Helal, reiterated full support for the interim government and urged the announcement of an election roadmap and schedule. Speaking at a BNP rally, he stated that the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of voting rights for 17 years. He welcomed any initiative ensuring free and fair elections. The rally was part of BNP’s broader campaign to establish an equitable and humane society based on their 31-point agenda. He also mentioned that BNP is taking organizational action against any members involved in wrongdoing and advised the interim government not to compare BNP with Awami League.

Advisor Nahid Islam, representing the mass uprising, stated that Awami League has neither the political nor the moral right to operate under its current name and ideology in Bangladesh. Regarding a potential ban, he mentioned that the legal framework is not yet finalized. As the judicial process progresses, recommendations may come from the courts, the Election Commission, and political parties. The final decision will be made accordingly. He emphasized that judicial proceedings should take priority before any ban is enforced.

After a meeting with Netanyahu, Donald Trump announced in a press briefing that the U.S. will take ownership of war-torn Gaza, relocate Palestinians elsewhere, and develop the region economically. Trump stated that Gaza will be cleared of destruction and transformed into a prosperous economic zone under U.S. ownership. He also mentioned the possibility of deploying troops if necessary. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that Gaza should never become a security threat again.

One month and four days into the current academic year, nearly 18 free textbooks are yet to be printed. Although 50 publishers, including Lecture, Panjeri, Advanced, and Poppy, were tasked with printing books, they prioritized guidebooks instead of following the National Curriculum and Textbook Board’s (NCTB) directives. The market is now flooded with unauthorized guidebooks under the pretense of “All-in-One” practice books. Education experts warn that this will increase rote memorization and have advised strict action. The total number of primary and secondary students exceeds 43.4 million, with a demand for 401.5 million textbooks. Despite a daily printing capacity of 4 million books, only about 2 million are being produced due to a paper shortage. Meanwhile, in Nilkhet and Bangla Bazar, textbooks are being sold at high prices due to the shortage.