India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, remarked that India has always sought to maintain strong ties with its neighbors, including Bangladesh. Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he stated, “We may change our friends, but not our neighbors.” Despite concerns over law and order and the situation of minorities, which India has raised, Bangladesh media has dismissed them as exaggerated.

A protest rally took place in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, calling for the harshest punishment for those involved in the rape of an eight-year-old child in Magura. Protesters expressed anger over multiple recent incidents of rape across the country, where perpetrators are released on bail only to commit even worse acts. The protesters insisted the government must ensure exemplary punishment for each rape incident. One housewife said, “We want women to live safely in society, but we are not being given the safety we deserve. We live in constant fear, not only outside but even inside our homes.”

After 11 years, Jamaat-e-Islami hosted an Iftar with foreign diplomats in Dhaka on Saturday. The party’s Amir, Shafiqul Rahman, explained that this was not possible during the previous Awami League-led government. He emphasized that an interim government must undertake reforms within state structures to ensure Bangladesh never loses its way again. Rahman further stated that Jamaat has strongly supported proportional representation elections in the country, believing this system will better reflect the people’s will and prevent the return of fascist rule.

A press release sent by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday stated that BNP has postponed its previously scheduled Iftar program with political parties. The statement read, “The Iftar and prayer gathering, organized by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on March 9 with various political parties, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.”

A fire broke out at the Eltek Aluminum factory in the Fakir Bari area of Gazipur. Six fire units are currently working together to bring the blaze under control. The incident occurred on Saturday (March 8) at approximately 5:30 PM. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 5:50 PM to douse the flames. The extent of damage and whether there were any casualties remain unclear at this time.

Seven individuals, including Salahuddin Salman, a leader of the anti-discrimination movement, have been sent to jail over charges of vandalizing the business premises of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s uncle, Sheikh Kabir, and extorting 300,000 Taka. Seven minors involved in the case have been sent to the Tongi Juvenile Development Center. The court rejected their bail applications and ordered their detention.

NCP leader Sergis Alam expressed that protecting mothers and sisters from exploitation has become a significant challenge. He criticized the state for failing to provide adequate safety for women, stating that the country must ensure security for all citizens. He urged that personal beliefs should not be forced on others, and the law enforcement agencies must be proactive in preventing harassment, particularly in mob culture, which he believes would prove the law enforcement system’s failure if not addressed. Sergis also spoke about his commitment to promoting women’s leadership in the NCP starting in July.

At a protest rally on Saturday afternoon, Samantha Sharmin asserted that questionable laws cannot guarantee women’s safety. She emphasized that violence against women is incompatible with a peaceful society and that citizen safety, including women’s safety, is under threat in the country. She also criticized the government for suppressing women’s rights over the past 53 years, and in reference to the recent rape of an 8-year-old girl in Magura, Sharmin called for justice on the streets, stating that it proves the persistence of a fascist system. She highlighted the need to bring women’s leadership into the restructuring of the state’s power framework.

On Saturday, The Daily Star presented the results of a recent survey. The survey, conducted from February 19 to March 3 across 64 districts of the country’s eight divisions, involved 10,696 participants. It revealed that if elections were held now, BNP would receive 41.7% of the votes, Jamaat-e-Islami would get 31.6%, Awami League would get 13.9%, and the NCPI would get 5.1%. 58% of voters want elections by 2025, with 31% preferring elections by June and 26% by December. About 11% believe political reforms are necessary before the election, while 5.3% support constitutional amendments.

Hasnat Abdullah has stated that the anti-discrimination student movement will continue its activities as a platform for a mass uprising. He emphasized that no one, under the guise of coordination, will be allowed to take special privileges or engage in illegal activities. Anyone doing so will be judged according to existing laws. He further mentioned that in many countries, platforms for mass uprisings have continued to operate even after the uprisings, and similarly, this platform will continue its cultural activities and fight against discrimination. It will always play a vocal role against fascism and demand justice.

A young girl, who was a victim of sexual assault in Magura, was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Saturday at 5 p.m. for specialized treatment. The decision to move her was made following recommendations from the medical board formed for her care, and it came after a visit by Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin Murshid to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital earlier in the day. The child was transferred in a cardiac ambulance, accompanied by a team of doctors.

On Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 162 individuals loyal to Bashar al-Assad have had their death sentences carried out. The day before, Assad’s forces launched an unexpected attack on the country’s newly formed government security forces, resulting in numerous casualties. Following the attack, Syrian forces began operations against rebel groups from the Alawite community, executing death sentences on captured rebels immediately. Ahmed al-Shara stated, “You have attacked all Syrians and committed unforgivable crimes.” The clashes that erupted between rebels and government forces on Thursday led to the deaths of more than 250 people.

Former U.S. diplomat John F. Danilovich has stated that there were flaws in U.S. foreign policy during the One-Eleven period, as the U.S. government did not focus enough on institutional reforms at that time. He noted that the current interim government is learning from those mistakes. Ambassador Milam added that they are working to raise awareness among the American public about Bangladesh’s democratic process. Over the past five years, the U.S. has provided financial support and continues to back these initiatives. Danilovich also alleged that the League government had refused to issue him a visa. He further claimed that misleading information was being spread regarding U.S. military activities on Saint Martin’s Island to cover up corruption and irregularities. Additionally, he described Trump’s grant-related remarks as misleading.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have backed an Arab-led $53 billion plan for Gaza’s reconstruction. The proposal, led by Egypt, envisions an independent Palestinian technocratic committee overseeing Gaza under Palestinian Authority supervision. The first phase includes humanitarian aid and temporary governance for six months, followed by long-term rebuilding over four to five years. Plans include 200,000 temporary homes, 400,000 permanent houses, and the restoration of Gaza’s seaport, airport, and essential services.

The National Independent Investigation Commission has summoned 15 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, General Aziz, and Fazle Noor Taposh, to testify regarding the BDR massacre. Others on the list include Sheikh Selim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, Bahauddin Nasim, retired Generals Muhammad Shamsul Alam, Molla Fazle Akbar, Moeen U Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, Abdul Kahar Akand, Noor Mohammad, and Monirul Islam. According to an official statement, their testimonies are deemed essential, and they may appear in person at the commission’s office or testify via online video conference. The commission has been instructed to complete the testimony process by March 31.