Bangladeshi online activist Saniur Rahman, also known as Satya Sadhu, was arrested in India under Uttarakhand Police’s Operation Kalnami. The arrest followed years of his living under a false identity as a Hindu monk named Satyanistha Arya in Rishikesh. Authorities reportedly recovered a Bangladeshi passport from him, suggesting he had entered India illegally through the Nepal border in 2016 and evaded detection for years.

The report describes Rahman’s ideological transformation from a self-proclaimed atheist and Shahbag movement participant in Bangladesh to a proponent of militant Hindutva in India. It portrays his shift as opportunistic, arguing that his earlier secular activism masked deep-seated hostility toward Islam. His alleged involvement in aggressive acts against minority communities, including an attack on a church in Ghaziabad, is cited as evidence of his continued extremism.

The incident raises concerns about cross-border extremism and weaknesses in India’s border and intelligence systems. It also serves as a cautionary example of how ideological extremism can mutate across religious lines, destabilizing social harmony.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has clarified his recent remark referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'terrorist'. Kharge explained that he did not mean Modi is a terrorist but intended to highlight that Modi instills fear among people and political parties. He accused Modi of misusing institutions such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, and Central Bureau of Investigation to intimidate opponents.

The comment was made during a press conference on April 21, ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, where Kharge criticized the BJP-AIADMK alliance. He questioned how AIADMK leaders could align with Modi, claiming that such an alliance undermines democracy and the ideals of leaders like Annadurai, Kamaraj, and Ambedkar. The ruling BJP strongly condemned Kharge’s statement and labeled the Congress party as an 'urban Naxal party'.

The exchange follows Modi’s earlier criticism of opposition parties over the women’s reservation bill, where he used the term 'foeticide', intensifying the political confrontation between the two major parties.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon MP stated that Bangladesh inherited a crippled economy. He made the remark on Monday night during a discussion meeting organized by the Gournadi Upazila and Municipality BNP and its affiliated organizations in Barishal. The minister said the government had to borrow money from banks within three months due to a severe budget deficit, as revenue from VAT covers less than half of the national budget.

Swapon added that the country’s social structure has broken down, with administrative institutions, especially the police and bureaucracy, suffering from a toxic environment. He described the current period after the election as a temporary “honeymoon,” warning that public scrutiny would soon intensify. He emphasized that in the modern era, mistakes spread quickly and trigger immediate public reaction.

The minister further noted that state power now depends on public approval, citing that no government can survive without people’s consent. He stressed that the power of the vote and public accountability must remain active to ensure responsible governance.

An endangered fishing cat was beaten to death and hung from an electric pole in Musapur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Bashiria residential area after the animal was trapped overnight in a chicken farm owned by a local resident. Following the killing, locals tied the dead animal to a roadside electric pillar, drawing crowds of onlookers the next morning.

Environmental advocates said the destruction of natural habitats and food shortages often drive these animals into human settlements. They noted that fishing cats help farmers by preying on rats and snakes, and their killing poses a serious threat to ecological balance. Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, the fishing cat is a protected species, and killing it is a non-bailable offense punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to one million taka.

Officials from the Coastal Forest Department’s Sandwip Range confirmed that a team was dispatched to the site to collect evidence. They stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible following investigation.

Jagannath University Chhatra Dal held a human chain on Tuesday in front of the Language Martyr Rafiq Building, demanding an investigation into alleged secret political activities by Islami Chhatra Shibir and accusations of fraud and sexual harassment against a student. The organization’s leaders claimed that Shibir members were conducting organizational and electoral activities on campus while concealing their identities and seeking votes from students under false pretenses.

Speakers at the event alleged that the accused student had engaged in deceptive relationships with multiple students, with at least three victims submitting written complaints. They also mentioned incidents of ‘honey trap’ tactics being used to influence students. Chhatra Dal leaders called for exemplary punishment for those involved, publication of a list of all Shibir members on campus, and expulsion of the accused student. They further stated that any organization must take responsibility if its members are involved in wrongdoing.

The protest leaders urged the university administration to take immediate action to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to ensure transparency in campus politics.

The local administration in Matlab North, Chandpur, has prohibited journalists from entering SSC examination centers. On the first day of the SSC and equivalent exams, local reporters sought permission from the center secretary to observe the exam process. The secretary informed them that the upazila administration had imposed a restriction on journalist entry during the exams.

Although the Ministry of Education allows conditional visits by journalists, local reporters expressed strong dissatisfaction with the strict local ban. Several senior journalists described the decision as regrettable, noting that the ministry itself had not issued such a prohibition. Abdul Gani Tapadar, a member of the Charakalia High School management committee and vice president of the upazila BNP, said journalists’ presence could help ensure a fair, cheating-free examination.

Center secretary Ataul Karim Mujahid stated that the upazila executive officer (UNO) had instructed all center secretaries by phone to prevent journalist entry. UNO Mahmuda Kulsum Moni later clarified that the directive originated from the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education), and she only implemented it locally.

Workers of Ahsan Composite factory in Kaliakoir, Gazipur staged a protest on Tuesday morning demanding payment of their pending annual leave wages. The demonstration began in front of the factory at Palli Bidyut Dighir Par area and escalated when workers rejected management’s proposal for a meeting, insisting on immediate payment. They later vandalized office furniture, computers, and other equipment, injuring seven factory officials.

Police led by Gazipur Industrial Police-1 officer-in-charge Morshed Zaman arrived to control the situation. Workers reportedly threw bricks and stones at police, leading to a chase and counter-chase. Eleven workers and three police officers sustained minor injuries. Police fired several blank shots to disperse the crowd, eventually restoring order.

Kaliakoir Police Station officer-in-charge Shahidul Islam said the situation became tense for a while but was later brought under control. Additional police have been deployed to maintain security and prevent further unrest.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with members of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The meeting took place at the Cabinet Division’s Public Administration Conference Room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka. Details of the discussion have not yet been released.

According to the report, the meeting was part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing engagements with key national stakeholders. NOAB represents newspaper owners across Bangladesh and often discusses issues related to the media industry, policy, and press freedom with government officials. However, the source did not specify the agenda or outcomes of this particular meeting.

Further information about the meeting’s content or any decisions taken is expected to be provided later, as the report indicated that more details are forthcoming.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament on April 21, 2026, that there is no possibility of any deal between the government and S Alam Group. Responding to a question from MP Hasnat Abdullah, he said the BNP-led government has no scope for compromise in economic matters. The minister confirmed that lawsuits have been filed against those who defaulted on bank loans and that recovery processes are ongoing through both government-to-government and private recovery firms.

He further stated that cases have been filed to recover assets allegedly laundered abroad by S Alam and Beximco groups, with Mutual Legal Assistance Requests sent to several countries. Courts have ordered the seizure of domestic and foreign assets linked to S Alam Group, including bank accounts, shares, and real estate. The minister described the recovery of laundered funds as a complex and lengthy legal process but assured that all possible legal measures are being pursued.

Chowdhury also said amendments to the Bank Resolution Act have opened a new window for investment but not for defaulters to return easily, reaffirming that the government does not support any individual patronage in the economy.

State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has directed field-level officials to be more active in ensuring efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly land services. He emphasized that the true owners of land are the people and that officials must remain dedicated to serving them. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday, April 21, during his visit to the Land Building at Satrasta in Dhaka.

During the inspection, he was accompanied by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land A S M Saleh Ahmed, Director General of the Land Record and Survey Department Dr. Md. Mahmud Hasan, Additional Secretary (Development Division) Md. Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, and his Private Secretary Md. Ashraful Islam. The minister visited several facilities, including the Land Museum, Child Daycare Center, Social Media Monitoring Cell, Land Service Center, and Land Service Call Center.

He instructed officials to maintain efficiency and cleanliness in their offices, ensure timely attendance, and avoid delays in public service delivery. The minister stressed that all tasks should be completed promptly to uphold a dynamic and responsive land administration.

Irrigation for the Irri-Boro rice season in Neserabad upazila of Pirojpur has been severely disrupted due to a shortage of diesel, leaving farmers deeply worried about possible crop failure. Around 3,000 hectares of paddy fields are affected as irrigation machines remain idle without fuel. The lack of water is causing rice plants to wilt and increasing the risk of empty grains, threatening the expected yield.

Farmers report that diesel is either unavailable in the market or being sold at high prices, forcing many to abandon their fields or irrigate on a limited scale. Some have taken loans for cultivation and now fear financial losses if the crops fail. Local farmer Khalek Bepari expressed frustration over the absence of government assurance on fuel supply, while another farmer, Afsar Ali, said he would struggle to repay his debts if the harvest is lost.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahfuzur Rahman confirmed that the diesel crisis has had a negative impact and warned of large-scale crop damage unless fuel supply is restored soon.

The Rangamati district administration has imposed a complete ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake to ensure proper breeding, growth, and natural expansion of released fish fry. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by District Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, who also heads the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a press release confirming the decision, which takes effect from midnight on April 24 until further notice.

According to the directive, fishing, transportation, and marketing of fish will remain suspended during the ban period. However, fish already caught may be landed at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) jetty until 4 p.m. on April 25. The release of new fish fry will begin on May 2. To prevent illegal fishing, joint patrols by the naval police and BFDC will be conducted, with temporary checkpoints and mobile court operations in place.

The ministry has also launched a humanitarian program to support 26,845 affected fishing families in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, providing 40 kilograms of rice per family over two months and transportation allowances to ensure food security during the ban.

A railway employee was killed after being struck by the Meghna Express train in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred around 11 a.m. while the worker, Rafiqul Islam, was performing maintenance duties on the main railway line under the jurisdiction of the Divisional Engineer-1 of Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Region. He died at the scene after being hit by the Chattogram-bound train.

According to Chattogram Railway Police, Rafiqul Islam was working on the track when the Meghna Express hit him, causing fatal injuries. Police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the collision.

Following the accident, the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Engineering Department Employees Association expressed deep sorrow, describing Rafiqul Islam’s death as an irreparable loss to the railway community and praying for the peace of his soul.

Thirteen women nominated by the 11-party electoral alliance submitted their nomination papers for reserved seats in the Bangladesh National Parliament on Tuesday at the Election Commission office. Alliance coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the women members would work to fulfill national expectations and advance women’s interests. He added that they would cooperate with the government on just and welfare-oriented initiatives but take a firm stand against any anti-people decisions.

Azad reiterated Jamaat’s policy that no two members from the same family should serve in parliament, explaining why the party leader’s wife was not nominated this time. He emphasized that Jamaat has many capable female leaders ready to contribute to national development. Female nominees, including Nurunnisa Siddika and Rokeya Begum, expressed commitments to represent women’s aspirations, uphold justice for July uprising victims, and balance family, parliamentary, and street-level responsibilities.

Nominees also included representatives from the National Citizen Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, reflecting the alliance’s multi-party composition. The Election Commission is scheduled to scrutinize the nomination papers tomorrow.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that transport fares in Bangladesh will be determined rationally following the recent rise in fuel prices. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Department of Information in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present.

Rahman said discussions are ongoing between the government and stakeholders to adjust fares in line with fuel costs. To resolve complexities, air-conditioned bus fares may be set in two or three tiers, with implementation expected before the upcoming Eid. He also mentioned that city corporations have been instructed to improve facilities at Dhaka’s bus terminals, particularly toilet management.

The adviser added that eight night markets are planned in Dhaka to relocate street vendors and keep sidewalks free for pedestrians. He further stated that the pilot expansion of the “Fuel Pass BD” app now covers motorcycle registration in several districts beyond Dhaka, with over 170,000 registrations completed so far.