Regarding the photo session where awardees were asked to stand behind the others at the Bangla Academy award ceremony, Salimullah Khan said, “People are asking, why did you take the award? After receiving the award, they are insulting me.” After the photo session, where the awardees were made to stand behind others, the picture went viral, sparking intense criticism on social media. In response to this, Salimullah Khan further stated, “If the Bangla Academy doesn’t know how to show respect, then what should we do?” Regarding the practice of seating students in front and standing behind, he remarked, “If the Bangla Academy doesn’t show respect to people, should we revolt against them?” These remarks were made by him at the closing ceremony of the National Poetry Festival, calling for the abolition of such practices and slavery.

Injured protesters from the anti-discrimination movement broke through police barricades at midnight on February 2 and gathered in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, demanding proper medical treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation. Shortly after, Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the anti-discrimination student movement, arrived to speak with them. Earlier, on February 1, the protesters had blocked the road in front of Pangu Hospital, alleging discrimination in medical treatment and compensation. They continue to chant slogans for their demands.

Students of Government Titumir College have declared an indefinite shutdown starting Monday, demanding the college be upgraded to a university. They will continue their “Barasat Barricade to North City” movement. Classes, exams, and administrative activities will remain halted until their demands are met. However, Saraswati Puja celebrations will proceed as planned. The students also demand recognition as a university, withdrawal of an education advisor’s statement, and an investigation into legal obstructions. Earlier, they blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway for two hours in protest.

On Sunday, February 2, at 11 PM, protesting students held a press conference in front of the main gate, announcing their continuation of hunger strikes and the Barasat Barricade to North City movement to demand university status for Titumir College. They have also declared an indefinite college shutdown starting Monday, February 3. Earlier, after a two-hour blockade, students returned to campus at 8 PM. While classes, exams, and administrative activities will remain suspended, Saraswati Puja celebrations on Monday will continue as planned. Their demands include: • University recognition for Titumir College, • The withdrawal of the education advisor’s statement, and • A public apology from the legal advisor for obstructing the formation of the Titumir Commission.

Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ikouina Akiko, has expressed interest in advancing and strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh during a meeting with the Chief Adviser. During the discussion, she reaffirmed Japan’s support for the interim government and emphasized enhancing bilateral relations to boost trade and development cooperation. The trade volume between the two countries stands at approximately four billion US dollars, with Japan being one of Bangladesh’s top five export destinations. She also invited the Chief Adviser to attend the Future of Asia conference in Tokyo in May and the Osaka Expo 2025.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent a letter to Khaleda Zia, extending greetings and wishing her good health. In the letter, the Pakistani Prime Minister praises Khaleda Zia as a towering figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, highlighting her political and illustrious life. He reassures that Pakistan, the BNP chairperson, her family, party, and supporters stand with her. The letter was sent from the Pakistan Embassy to the BNP chairperson’s office on the afternoon of February 2.

In Tungipara, Gopalganj, during a month-long program of the Awami League, a worker named Safayet was arrested while distributing leaflets. Following his arrest, Awami League leaders and activists clashed with the police to free him. As a result, 8 people, including a police officer, were injured. During the incident, the enraged activists threw bricks and stones, vandalizing a police vehicle. They also detained a police officer. Upon receiving the news, the Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Moinul Haque, rescued the police officer and handed him over to the Officer-in-Charge (OC).

The government is considering providing lifelong medical care and allowances to those injured in the July people’s uprising, announced Faruk-i-Azam, Advisor to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. A department is being set up to implement this, with a budget of 232 crore Taka for this fiscal year. Martyrs’ families will receive savings bonds worth 10 lakh Taka each, and the injured will receive allowances ranging from 50,000 to 3 lakh Taka. The government aims to ensure comprehensive support and honor their sacrifices.

The injured from the July uprising in Feni have protested on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, demanding rehabilitation, the cancellation of the category system, and improved medical treatment in a timely manner. Nahid, who was injured in the uprising, stated, “Our fighters are martyred due to the lack of advanced treatment, and we seek recognition from the government.” After the administration promised discussions, the injured students moved from the road after about an hour of blockage. They threatened to block the railway as well if their demands are not met. The injured Azim described it as frustrating, saying, “We do not want to cause public suffering, but we have to take to the streets for our treatment.”

After a two-hour blockade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Mohakhali, Titumir College students lifted their protest around 8 p.m. on February 2, allowing traffic to resume. The students had blocked the road earlier, causing major disruptions to commuters. The student organization, Titumir Oikkyo, announced a press conference at 11 p.m. to disclose their future plans. Police were deployed, and water cannons were kept on standby in response to the protests triggered by comments from the education advisor.

Abdul Wahab, the President of Suzanganj Upazila Awami League and former chairman, was snatched away from police custody by his supporters in Mathurapur village on February 2. The police had gone to arrest Wahab due to allegations against him, but his supporters blocked their efforts and freed him. The local police, unable to proceed with the arrest, returned to their station. The police confirmed that the operation to arrest Wahab will continue.

Tariq Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP, expressed concerns during a virtual participation in a rally held in South Dhaka, stating that the longer the talks on reform proposals drag on, the deeper the country will fall into crisis. He said that prolonged discussions on reforms would give room for fallen autocrats to gain power and oppress the people. He emphasized the importance of elections for the implementation of reform proposals, stating that accountability can be ensured through elections, and when an elected government has the opportunity to govern, the issues will gradually be resolved. He pledged to make the utmost effort to implement the promised reforms with the party’s leaders and workers.

At around 9:30 AM on February 2nd, a clash between two factions of the BNP occurred in the Gharua Union of Bhanga Upazila, Faridpur, over dominance, leaving 20 people injured. After a meeting at 9:00 AM, on their way back home, Anwar Munshi’s supporters attacked Karim Mollah’s supporters. Subsequently, both sides exchanged blows using local weapons. As a result, 20 people were injured. Karim Mollah accused BNP leader Anwar and Awami League leaders of torturing them. Anwar stated that people loyal to Nixon Chowdhury’s top supporter, Niru Khalifa, led by Karim Mollah, attacked them.

Under Donald Trump’s orders, the U.S. Air Force has conducted an airstrike on an ISIS secret base in Somalia. The regional authorities of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia, confirmed that several key leaders, including a senior member of the militant group, were killed or injured in the attack. This action is part of the United States’ efforts to counter the group’s activities in the war-torn country. Donald Trump confirmed this on his Truth Social platform, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also made a statement. No fatalities have been reported from the attack, but it is believed to have reduced the group’s capabilities. Following the strike, Somalia’s president thanked Trump.

At the inauguration of canal excavation in Mirpur-13’s Baunia Canal, three interim government advisors walked on a red carpet to board a floating excavator, sparking criticism. DNCC clarified that the carpet was a safety measure, not an official ceremony. The temporary platform was muddy and steep, and the excavator’s floor was slippery, necessitating the use of a red mat for safe movement. DNCC emphasized that there was no extravagance or misuse of funds and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public safety.