Saraswati Puja, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community, is being celebrated today, Monday. Every year, this worship of the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, takes place on the Shukla Paksha of the Bengali month of Magh. On this occasion, students will participate in various rituals, including prayers (Bani Archana), puja ceremonies at temples and educational institutions, distribution of prasad, religious discussions, cultural programs, and evening aarti. In some places, the festival was observed yesterday according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Puja mandaps have been set up in different halls of Dhaka University, including Jagannath Hall. At 11 AM, the National Hindu Student Grand Alliance will hold a discussion meeting. Meanwhile, the president and general secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council have extended their greetings to the people of the country.

According to Bangladesh Bank, remittances from expatriates amounted to $2.18523 billion in January. Due to the blockade, internet shutdown, and bank closures, remittances declined in July, the month of the mass uprising. However, after the victory of the uprising, expatriates began sending more remittances. • August: $2.22415 billion • September: $2.40479 billion • October: $2.39508 billion • November: $2.63878 billion Following this trend, January saw a significant inflow of remittances. The largest share of these funds was received by private banks.

Injured protesters from the anti-discrimination student movement returned to the hospital at 12:45 AM after discussions with Hasnat Abdullah. They had been demonstrating in front of the Chief Advisor’s residence, demanding rehabilitation and proper treatment. Initially, they accused Hasnat and his allies of prioritizing political organization over their well-being. However, Hasnat convinced them, acknowledging the complexity of the rehabilitation process and blaming government officials for delays. He also pledged to visit the Secretariat this week to push for their demands.

The 23 individuals who perished in a boat sinking while attempting to reach Italy illegally via the Mediterranean had no Bangladeshi identification documents, despite the Red Crescent suspecting them to be Bangladeshi based on their appearance. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Abul Hasnat, confirmed this information during a Facebook Live session. According to him, a boat carrying 56 migrants departed from eastern Libya for Italy on January 25 but sank en route. Between January 30 and 31, 23 bodies were recovered, while two individuals were found in critical condition. The fate of the remaining 31 migrants remains unknown. The region where the incident occurred is under the control of rebel forces. Ambassador Hasnat stated that despite unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the local prosecution, efforts are ongoing to gather further information.

Police arrested seven robbers linked to an inter-district gang after a robbery in Bogura Sadar on January 28. The robbers, who tied up the family and looted goods and 50,000 taka, left behind a pair of shoes and a cloth bag, which led to their identification. During the operation, police recovered several pieces of gold jewelry, rings, and 3,500 taka in cash. The robbers were arrested early on February 2 after a covert investigation based on the clues.

On Sunday (February 2), the body of an eighth-grade girl was recovered from Hatirjheel. The police have reported that the girl was raped by five people after being tied up, and then murdered. In connection with this incident, the police have arrested two youths. The girl went missing on January 16, and her father filed a general diary (GD) on January 19 and a case on January 27. On January 30, police arrested another youth named Rabbi Mridha based on mobile phone leads. Robin and Rabbi Mridha confessed in court under section 164 to the rape and murder of the girl. They met through Facebook, after which she was taken to a house, gagged, raped, and then killed. The bereaved father is demanding justice in this matter.

Abu Sadeq, the managing director of SS Group and leader of the DB Harun syndicate, was arrested on February 3 from his residence in Mohammadpur in connection with the abduction of businessman Zulfiqar Ali. The victim was abducted and taken to the DB office, where an attempt to extort 6 crore taka was made. This was part of a case filed on January 23. Other accused in the case include former DB chief Harun Ar Rashid, former DC Golam Sabur, a former additional DIG, Moniruzzaman Tarun, general secretary of Dhaka District Awami League, and Abu Sadeq’s manager. Abu Sadeq Chowdhury, being a trusted ally of former shipping minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, has used his influence to secure exclusive contracting opportunities in the Ministry of Shipping.

After the press secretary of the chief advisor, Shafiqul Alam, now Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has thrown garbage into a dustbin with Sheikh Hasina’s picture! He did this on February 2 at the book fair. In a Facebook post with a photo of him throwing garbage, he wrote, ‘City dwellers! Do not throw garbage anywhere, throw it in the appropriate places.’ Earlier, on February 1, press secretary Shafiqul Alam shared a photo of this dustbin on his Facebook page, in one of which he is seen throwing garbage as well. The dustbin was placed by the anti-discrimination student movement!”

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, assured that the government would rehabilitate those injured in the July-August protests. He mentioned ongoing efforts to secure overseas employment for them and urged patience. Speaking to protesters outside the Chief Advisor’s residence, he acknowledged bureaucratic complications, the rise of middlemen, and internal disputes delaying the process. He criticized government negligence in providing medical care but promised to convey the protesters’ demands for urgent treatment.

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.