Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mujibur Rahman has called for introducing a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, arguing that it is the only way to ensure that every vote truly counts.

Speaking at a rally in Barishal on Fazlul Huq Avenue as part of a five-point national program, Mujibur urged the government to conduct a referendum if necessary to gauge public opinion on the system. He insisted that elections should only be held after implementing the July Charter and ensuring a level playing field by removing “fascists and their accomplices” from positions of power.

He further demanded accountability for parties, including the Jatiya Party, that supported authoritarian regimes in the past.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku announced that if the party comes to power, it will introduce a “Family Card” program in every household, issued in the names of mothers, as part of a broader commitment to women’s dignity and social welfare.

Speaking at the foundation-stone ceremony of the Shri Shri Mandir at Porabari cremation ground in Tangail, Tuku criticized those who, he said, “hid their identity to do politics under someone else’s banner and later shifted principles.” He labeled such figures as “munafiqs (hypocrites)” who, he asserted, the people of Bangladesh would never accept.

He added: “Ziaur Rahman always acted for the people, Khaleda Zia did the same, and Tarique Rahman will carry it forward. Together, we must build this country without caste divisions, guided by humanity.”

Tuku also reassured Hindu communities that BNP had previously ensured security during Durga Puja celebrations and would continue to stand by them.

Masud Saeedi, a Jamaat-backed candidate, hailed what he described as a “landslide victory” for Islami Chhatra Shibir in recent Daksu and Jaksu student union elections.

He denounced efforts to brand victorious students as “Razakars,” saying such labeling serves no purpose. “The people of Bengal fought in 1971 to end Pakistan’s exploitation, achieving victory in just nine months. On August 5, we again saw the fall of a fascist regime. We must not allow the birth of another,” Saeedi declared.

Citing unmet promises by past leaders, he stressed that Bangladeshis still aspire to peace and prosperity. Highlighting local development initiatives of his late father, Allama Saeedi, he said: “Institutions like Pirojpur Shilpakala Academy, Nursing Institute, Youth Development programs, hospitals, and roads—these were all his contributions.”

British MP Tulip Siddiq has accused Bangladeshi authorities of fabricating documents for political purposes, alleging an attempt to falsely portray her as corrupt.

According to a report in The Telegraph, Siddiq once held a Bangladeshi passport (issued in 2001, when she was 19) and a national ID card (issued in 2011). She also reportedly applied for passport renewal at the Agargaon Passport Office. The ID card listed her address as her aunt Sheikh Hasina’s residence, despite Siddiq never having lived in Dhaka.

Her family maintains that she used a Bangladeshi passport only once as a child and never as an adult. The ID card in question was an older version, not the newer smart card.

In the past, Siddiq referred to Bangladesh as “our country” during a 2015 visit to Dhaka. However, when questioned in 2017 by a UK journalist, she firmly stated: “I am a British MP. Do not call me Bangladeshi. I am not Bangladeshi.”

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights is currently visiting Bangladesh, led by its Chair, Maria Arena Satori. During the trip, Satori inspected Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and commended Bangladesh’s “extraordinary efforts” in sheltering over one million Rohingya refugees for the past eight years.

She reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to maintaining its financial assistance but stressed that “Bangladesh cannot be left to carry this burden alone.” Satori called for greater global responsibility-sharing and emphasized that a sustainable solution lies in international cooperation and a political resolution in Myanmar to ensure safe and voluntary repatriation.

Expressing optimism, she said the upcoming high-level conference on September 30 in New York could help forge a much-needed global consensus on resolving the crisis. The delegation also held meetings with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser during their visit.

Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward No. 7 unit under Mugda police station organized a mass signature campaign in Maniknagar, demanding a permanent solution to the ongoing gas crisis and immediate repairs to dilapidated roads in the area.

Speaking at the program, Jamaat leader Matiur Rahman Akn said:
“Maniknagar is a densely populated and important neighborhood, yet residents suffer from a persistent shortage of gas. People from all walks of life are facing daily hardship due to this crisis. It is the government’s responsibility to resolve it, and we hope the authorities will act swiftly.”

He further highlighted the dire condition of local roads:
“For a long time, the roads here have been badly damaged, filled with potholes that make commuting nearly impossible, especially during rain. These roads urgently need renovation.”

Residents participating in the campaign echoed the demands, warning that if their grievances remain unaddressed, they will escalate protests with human chains and public rallies.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Students’ Coalition (NCP), admitted disappointment over the performance of their supported panels in recent Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University student union elections.

“We had backed the Bachsas panel, but they failed to meet expectations in Daksu and Jaksu polls. We must reflect on what went wrong over the past year and why we could not build the organizational strength we needed in universities and nationwide,” Nahid said.

He acknowledged that the country’s political turmoil after the July uprising had posed challenges, but urged student leaders to learn from the shortcomings.
“A democratic and safe campus must be ensured. Students played a key role in the uprising, and leadership must rise from them. Our supported panels had limited time in politics, but moving forward, we must be vigilant to avoid repeating mistakes.”

Suspended BNP leader and decorated freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman returned to Dhaka on Friday afternoon with a heavy heart, after receiving no response to his appeal for reinstatement ahead of the Kishoreganj district BNP’s triennial council scheduled for September 20.

Rahman, who served as district BNP president for eight years, said he had personally organized all 13 upazila units during his tenure. Despite his longstanding service, his suspension remains in place due to controversial remarks on the July uprising.

He twice contested the national election from Kishoreganj-4 as a BNP candidate, facing severe repression from state authorities and rival parties. Disappointed by the party’s silence, he left his home in Kishoreganj and returned to Dhaka.

Dhaka University’s Mohsin Hall Chhatra Dal unit has strongly condemned Jamaat-backed MP candidate Amir Hamza for claiming that azaan (Islamic call to prayer) was banned in the hall before Shibir’s Daksu victory.

Hall unit secretary Mansur Rafi called the statement “outrageously false,” adding:
“Mohsin Hall has always been home to devout Muslim students who regularly prayed at the hall mosque. To suggest azaan was once banned here is a malicious lie that insults our religious sentiments and misleads the public about our students.”

He urged the hall administration to officially denounce the claim and demanded an immediate apology from Amir Hamza, warning of appropriate action if he fails to retract his remarks.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it is carefully assessing the implications of the reported strategic mutual defense pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted India’s deepening strategic partnership with Riyadh in recent years and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would remain mindful of “mutual interests and sensitivities.”

“We have seen reports of a Pakistan-Saudi defense pact. Its implications for our national security, as well as for regional and global stability, will be considered,” Jaiswal said.

Under the reported pact, an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia would be treated as an attack on both, prompting a joint response.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stressed that anyone seeking to bring about revolution or societal change must first build strong organizational foundations.

Speaking at a commemorative meeting, Fakhrul said:
“Revolution succeeds only when there is organization. The current sense of despair stems from a lack of organizational strength. Without revolutionary organization, revolution cannot happen. As Badruddin Umar said, one must go directly to the people.”

He paid tribute to the late leftist thinker Badruddin Umar, recalling his uncompromising dedication to ideals until his final days. A minute of silence was observed in Umar’s honor at the start of the program.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has said the party does not impose its politics on the people but instead listens to their voices and follows their advice.

Speaking at a program, he explained:
“Democracy is a system that ensures people’s rights. It allows citizens to express their opinions freely. A system where only one person speaks and imposes authority is not democracy, but autocracy.

The people of this country struggled for 15 years for democracy, and that journey began a year ago. It will be realized through a fair national election next year. BNP stands for a democracy where voting rights, economic freedom, and freedom of expression are guaranteed.”

Renewed clashes between two rival BNP factions in Narsingdi Sadar upazila have left a woman named Ferdousi Akter dead after she was struck by gunfire.

Locals said tensions had been simmering between the factions of Alokbali Union BNP convener Shah Alam Chowdhury and expelled member secretary Abdul Kaiyum Mia over political influence and dominance.

Just a day earlier, one man was killed in a similar clash between the groups. On Friday afternoon, violence erupted again, with both sides exchanging gunfire. Ferdousi Akter was killed in the crossfire. Residents alleged that both factions have enlisted suspended Awami League activists into their ranks.

Jamaat-e-Islami has placed a new proposal before the Consensus Commission: anyone refusing to accept the July Charter should be barred from contesting elections, and those campaigning against it should face charges of sedition.

Jamaat leader Golam Parwar said the party has not yet taken any decision regarding an apology or shift in stance over its role during the Liberation War. He added:
“Those who exploited the Liberation War for business have faced losses. But we welcome Shibir leaders offering prayers at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.”

On the July Charter, Parwar noted:
“It is a historic anti-fascist document. The movement that ended authoritarian rule, where thousands of youths gave their lives, is part of our national history. To deny the July Charter is to align with fascism. Discussions are ongoing — this is not the final draft.”

The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning its citizens to exercise “a high degree of caution” due to the risk of political unrest, including protests, strikes, and blockades.

In its notice, Ottawa marked Bangladesh under the yellow alert category, advising heightened vigilance across the country. For the three hill districts, a red alert has been issued, meaning Canadian nationals are advised to avoid travel there altogether.

The advisory cautions that Bangladesh’s security situation may deteriorate suddenly without warning. It highlights the risk of politically motivated violence, kidnappings, and sporadic clashes among ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, urging citizens to avoid the region entirely.