Chhatra Dal President Md. Rakibul Islam Rakib has claimed that the student movement was led solely by Chhatra Dal. He stated, “There was no presence of Shibir, no presence of Jamaat, and no trace whatsoever of the anti-discrimination groups in this movement.” He further added, “By the grace of Allah, it happened. We had tried many times before!”

Hasnat Abdullah, southern organizer of the NCP, warned the interim administration against enabling Indian aggression at the cost of local lives. He questioned whether Chinmoy’s recent bail was granted under foreign pressure and added, “Standing on the blood of Alif to open the door for Indian aggression will have dire consequences.”

Despite the significance of May Day, workers took to the streets demanding unpaid wages. Protests led to discussions between workers and factory management at the main gate. Workers said the factory had shut down on November 9, promising payments by December 28, but nothing has been paid yet. Mahmud Jeans Ltd. and Mahmud Washing Plant Ltd. claimed that although they planned to begin payments from April 28, banking complications delayed the process. They now aim to clear all dues by May 15 in coordination with the Labor Ministry.

India’s Supreme Court refused to hear a petition demanding a judicial probe into the recent Pahalgam attack, citing concerns over armed forces’ morale. The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, advised petitioners to consider the national interest, saying, “Don’t file petitions that demoralize security forces.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has labeled the attack a “false flag operation.”

Four fishermen, all Rohingya residents of the Jadimura Camp-27 in Teknaf, were reportedly abducted by Myanmar’s rebel group Arakan Army near Lal Dwip on the Naf River. The abducted individuals are Arafat (21), Anis Ullah (22), Mohammad Jaber (14), and Anwar Sadek. Local boatman Nur Mohammad said the rebels swooped in while the fishermen were working, though several others managed to escape. Local authorities have been informed.

Writer and activist Farhad Mazhar claimed the 1972 Constitution was imposed under Indian influence, disregarding the true spirit of the Liberation War. “It introduced Bengali nationalism, secularism, and socialism—none of which were part of the 1971 movement,” he said. Mazhar called for its repeal and a new constitution. He also criticized poet Dr. Yunus for allegedly blocking students’ attempts to declare a new national vision in July.

The upcoming May 10 election of the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA) has been suspended following the resignation of two election commissioners—Professors Nurul Hossain Chowdhury and Habibul Haque. Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Moin Uddin revealed that the commissioners were intimidated and pressured not to carry out their duties. Nurul Hossain cited personal reasons and mental stress, saying he had been unable to sleep for two nights. A new commission or an ad hoc committee may be formed to proceed.

BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy stated that restoring democracy required the expulsion of fascism, yet democracy still remains trapped. “BNP and democracy are inseparable. A conspiracy against one is a conspiracy against the other,” he said. He criticized the interim government’s secretive seven-point deal with the Arakan Army and compared it to undisclosed agreements made by Sheikh Hasina, warning that such deals may become a “cancer” for the nation.

BNP’s Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury declared that the people of Bangladesh will not accept any government formed without an election. “The message from the people is clear—those who try to suppress elections will neither be forgiven nor see their ambitions fulfilled in Bangladesh,” he said. He also emphasized BNP’s 31-point roadmap, which includes commitments to workers’ rights, social security, and long-term welfare. He criticized the current government for neglecting labor interests and bypassing public opinion on critical national issues like corridor agreements.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan has urged workers to unite, stating that disunity is the reason for their continued exploitation. “You must fight for your rights,” he said, promising that the BNP will work to fulfill the aspirations of workers. He also called for the immediate enactment of proposed labor reforms ahead of May Day.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to return to Bangladesh from London around May 4 or 5, according to her personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar. “She must be brought back by air ambulance, and arrangements for that are still being finalized,” he said. “Her health condition is also a major factor. While the exact date is uncertain, we are preparing for her return around the 4th or 5th of this month.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has assured India of full American support for its right to self-defense during a phone call with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The conversation followed the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which India blamed on Pakistan. Singh accused Pakistan of training and financing terror groups and destabilizing the region. Hegseth expressed solidarity with India and stressed that the world can no longer ignore state-sponsored terrorism.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on the interim government to avoid entering agreements that harm Bangladesh’s national interests without consulting political parties or the public. He stressed the importance of timely reforms and elections, reminding the public that media freedom was first introduced by Ziaur Rahman. He credited BNP with originating many of the reform demands now under discussion and pointed to Tarique Rahman’s 31-point reform proposal as a roadmap.

Hasnat Abdullah has advocated for the voting rights of overseas workers, criticizing the system that neglects their contribution once they return home. He stated that excluding expatriates from the democratic process amounts to systemic discrimination and emphasized that worker rights are still not fully recognized. “Whichever party comes to power must ensure labor rights,” he added.

Tarique Rahman has warned the interim government to prioritize Bangladesh’s national interest over foreign agendas. Referring to the proposed humanitarian corridor through Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, he criticized the government for allegedly making the decision without public or political consultation. Tarique emphasized that only grassroots empowerment of working-class people can bring lasting change, as advocated by the BNP.