BNP leader Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad stated that the party will not allow the Awami League to regain dominance in Muradnagar. He warned that those attempting to rehabilitate the ruling party will face consequences after the upcoming elections. Kaykobad urged the interim government to ensure a peaceful national election by December.

Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad criticized the current administration, warning against playing the role of an “Indian proxy” or rehabilitating the Awami League. Speaking at a Liberal Democratic Party event, which saw over 500 professionals and former military officers join under the leadership of Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi, Oli accused the government of failing to maintain order and of turning a blind eye to disruptive activities. He also alleged rampant corruption in civil service appointments.

Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud has revealed that weapons from the national Shooting Federation were used to suppress student and public protests during the July uprising. The reform committee formed for restructuring sports bodies was initially given a deadline until April 20. Despite a request for an extension, the committee received no response from the ministry. Bangladesh currently has 55 sports federations, with new committees formed for 26 of them in the last seven months.

Fatima Hasoona, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that also claimed the lives of 10 of her family members. Fatima had been documenting Israeli atrocities in Gaza for the past 18 months. A documentary about her work is set to be screened at a film festival in France next month. Before her death, she posted: “If I die, let my death roar. Let it not become just another headline or statistic. Let it be a death that etches itself into history—an image no one can erase.”

Journalist Zulkarneyn Sayer has called on the government’s Press Wing to compile a comprehensive list of individuals killed in India over the past year by “cow vigilantes” and members of the BJP-RSS factions. In a Facebook post, Sayer urged the authorities to include victims’ names, religious affiliations—particularly Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians—the cause of their deaths, dates, locations, and those responsible. He also suggested that the list be published through the Office of the Chief Adviser or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a formal statement of condemnation. He noted that experienced journalists in the Press Wing are well-equipped to carry out this task.

The U.S. government has recently revoked the visas of nearly 5,000 international students, including many from India and Bangladesh. Around 50% of the cancellations are due to violations related to visa conditions, including fraud and misrepresentation. Officials have warned students to avoid agents and ensure they meet all academic and legal requirements.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X expressing deep concern over the abduction and brutal murder of Bhavesh Chandra Roy in Jessore. He described the incident as part of a pattern of systematic violence against Hindu minorities under the interim government. Jaiswal called on the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of minorities and not to make excuses or discriminate in fulfilling their responsibilities.

In a humanitarian gesture marking Easter Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from Saturday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM local time. His forces were instructed to suspend all military operations during this period. While Ukraine has yet to respond officially, Putin stated, “We hope Ukraine will reciprocate. However, our forces must remain ready to respond to any provocations or violations.”

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam visited a local police station to inspect the living and dining arrangements for lower-ranking officers. He described the conditions as very poor and said the Chief Adviser had directed them to find solutions. He also mentioned efforts to improve law and order, including a new initiative to assign police officers to their home districts, allowing them more time with family, especially given their limited leave allowances.

At a memorial event for Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Sharmin S Murshid reflected on the failures of post-1971 politics. She said that freedom fighters were neither utilized nor rehabilitated after independence, and democracy, equality, and justice remained elusive. “That’s why events like July 24 happened,” she said. Murshid called for a cultural shift within political parties and warned young people against adopting outdated political practices. She urged them to follow the idealistic path set by Dr. Zafrullah.

In a Facebook post, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of national security during visa evaluations. The embassy stated that no visas are issued unless all security concerns are resolved. Applicants submitting fake documents will not only be denied visas but may also face legal action in both the U.S. and their home country. US chairperson Moin Chowdhury advised visa applicants to avoid brokers and fraudulent paperwork.

Education Adviser Prof. Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Ray Podder emphasized the importance of school-level autonomy to improve primary education. He called for empowering school heads and officials to ensure children’s literacy in language and mathematics. He said the ideal scenario would be for primary schools to be autonomous with their own budgeting and accountability mechanisms. Though not currently feasible, he announced that mid-day meals will soon be introduced in all primary schools in 165 upazilas under two ongoing projects.

After a meeting with the 12-party alliance, BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that there’s no need for a movement to demand elections, as this government was formed with their support. “We’ve already demanded elections by December and believe necessary preparations are in place,” he said. Khan emphasized the need for justice against those involved in fascism and human rights violations. The 12-party alliance has reportedly expressed agreement with the BNP’s stance.

The Women’s Reform Commission has recommended that sex workers and domestic workers be recognized as laborers under the country’s existing labor laws. Among its proposals is increasing the number of parliamentary seats to 600, with each constituency having one general seat and one reserved seat for women — both to be filled through direct elections. The commission believes this reform can be implemented under the interim government. If a bicameral system is introduced, the commission also recommends that 50% of the upper house seats be equally nominated by all parties with an equal number of men and women, and the remaining 50% be allocated on a non-partisan basis, ensuring representation from five women’s rights movements.

NCP leader Arif Sohel wrote that banning the Awami League alone is not sufficient unless it’s based on legal trials. He referred to past failures where executive orders had no effect, such as the ban on the Chhatra League. He argued for prioritizing the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the July massacre and all affiliated groups. Sohel called for a full ban on the political activities of the Awami League and its affiliates until trials are concluded. His post was shared by Hasnat Abdullah.