Qader Gani Chowdhury, Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Combined Professional Council, stated that the essence of February 21 is to uphold rights and sovereignty without submission. He emphasized that for the past 17 years, voting rights, freedom of speech, and democracy were suppressed, undermining the spirit of February 21. He highlighted the importance of reclaiming people's ownership through democratic means following the recent student-led uprising against fascism. He further asserted that only elected representatives have the right to implement reforms and recognized February 21 as the first step toward independence.

The shortage of bottled soybean oil continues in the market, while lemon prices have surged. The price of soybean oil has increased by 5 BDT per liter, and the price of lemons has risen by 20-30 BDT per dozen. Tomato prices have increased from 30 BDT to 40 BDT, carrots from 40 BDT to 50 BDT, bitter gourd is selling at 80 BDT, long eggplants at 60 BDT, and small eggplants at 80 BDT per kg. Green chilies are being sold at 80 BDT per kg. Broiler chicken is priced at 190 BDT per kg, Sonali chicken at 370 BDT per kg, and local chicken at 580 BDT per kg. This information was gathered from the Khilkhet, Kawran Bazar, Shewrapara, and Agargaon markets on Friday morning.

A library built in memory of language movement hero Abdul Matin has fallen into disrepair and is now occupied by drug addicts. Local leader Hakim Member has been accused of embezzling more than 1,500 books and all the furniture from the library. A complaint has been filed with the police.

The use of Bangla in court verdicts has increased significantly, with over 50,000 rulings written in Bangla over the past 26 years. Notably, the recent verdict in the Sheikh Hasina assassination attempt case was delivered in Bangla. Since 2007, High Court civil, criminal, and writ case rulings have increasingly been written in the national language. A single judge has reportedly issued over 30,000 verdicts in Bangla.

Out of 253 educational institutions in Golapganj, Sylhet, only 42 have Shaheed Minars. The rest, 211 institutions, resort to makeshift tributes using banana trees or bamboo structures during International Mother Language Day. The existing monuments are often neglected. The upazila has 180 primary schools, but only 22 have Shaheed Minars. Among 59 secondary schools, four colleges, and one lower secondary school, only 20 have the memorial structures. No government-run madrasas in the area have Shaheed Minars. The education department cited a lack of funds for the issue.

A violent clash erupted between two BNP factions in Vijaynagar, Brahmanbaria, over placing floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar. The confrontation on Thursday night left two people injured, identified as Billal from Petuazuri village and Jibon Mia from Ichapur. The victims are receiving treatment at the Upazila Health Complex. Local police confirmed that a verbal dispute escalated into a knife fight, leading to the injuries.

The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) seized foreign liquor and beer smuggled from India at the Tahirpur border in Sunamganj. On Thursday, a BGB patrol team in the Lalghat area confiscated 237 bottles of foreign liquor and 42 bottles of beer worth BDT 366,000. Lieutenant Colonel AKM Zakaria Kadir, commander of the Sunamganj-28 unit, confirmed the seizure.

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to India, Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa over their BRICS alliance. He threatened to impose a 150% tariff if BRICS nations attempt to introduce a new currency to rival the US dollar. Accusing them of trying to "destroy the dollar," Trump emphasized that any country seeking to move away from the US currency must sever ties with America. No official response has been received from BRICS nations yet.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi declared that if fascism rises again in the country, the spirit of Ekushey will be its greatest resistance. Speaking after laying a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday morning, he said, "The essence of February 21 is eternal; it inspires young revolutionaries to take to the streets." He described Ekushey as the first step towards independence and recalled how the movement continued to inspire resistance even in oppressive times. Rizvi added, "For 17 years, we fought against tyranny. Despite abductions and killings of our leaders, the bloodthirsty Hasina eventually had to flee."

Student protesters staged a demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar against the arrival of President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu at the monument. Waving black flags, they chanted slogans such as "Go Back Chuppu" and demanded the resignation of the President, the execution of Sheikh Hasina, and a ban on the ruling Awami League. The protest was part of an ongoing movement that started eight days ago. The march began at Raju Sculpture and moved towards the Shaheed Minar but was halted by police at Shibbari Mor. The protest was led by the National Revolutionary Council.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating alleged corruption in Chattogram WASA’s BDT 3,808 crore sewerage project, led by its Managing Director AKM Fazlullah. On Thursday, an ACC team raided the WASA office and reportedly found preliminary evidence of financial misconduct. The head of the ACC team informed the media that documents have been collected for forensic analysis. There are also allegations that a fire on the third floor of the WASA building in 2020 was an attempt to destroy incriminating records. The ACC has assured a thorough investigation and legal action.

Ferry operations between Daulatdia in Rajbari and Paturia in Manikganj have been suspended due to heavy fog. Seven ferries have been anchored at Daulatdia since 3 AM on Thursday to prevent accidents, according to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC). Authorities stated that thick fog in the Padma and Jamuna river basins forced them to take this precaution. Operations will resume once visibility improves, and travelers have been advised to remain cautious.

BNP leader Ishraq Hossain issued a stern warning against the rising hostility in student politics. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "Enough is enough. After enduring 16 years of hatred and violence, I don’t want to see this anymore." He emphasized that student politics should not be about dominance but about the historical sacrifices of 1952, 1971, 1990, and 2024, where students fought for people’s rights. He urged student activists to uphold these legacies, saying, "If you can’t follow them, then stop this nonsense."

At least three empty buses exploded in Bat Yam, Israel, on Thursday evening (February 20). Fortunately, no casualties were reported immediately. The area remains tense, with heavy security deployed. Reports suggest that two other buses had explosive devices that did not detonate. Security forces are conducting extensive operations to apprehend suspects. Local media reported that an undetonated device carried a note reading, "Revenge from Tulkarm," referencing the West Bank city recently targeted by Israeli military operations.

Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Syed Refaat Ahmed, stated that February 21 is the first pillar of Bengali national identity. He described Ekushey as a fundamental inspiration for the post-1971 state-building process. Sharing his personal connection, he revealed that his mother was a language movement activist. He made these remarks after placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar following the President and Chief Adviser’s tribute at dawn on Friday. He also observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs, a moment officially acknowledged in a press release by the Supreme Court.