Students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) formed a human chain on Thursday demanding immediate reopening of the campus, justice for recent outsider attacks, and the resumption of academic activities. The protest took place at Jabbar’s Mor, with students from various faculties participating. They said despite a meeting with university authorities on September 8, where they placed six demands, no decision had yet been announced and no syndicate meeting had been held. “Prolonged closure is disrupting classes and exams, threatening session jams and academic crises,” the protesters warned, urging swift implementation of their demands.

Chhatra Dal has officially boycotted the JAKSU elections, alleging biased conduct by the Election Commission. At a press conference Thursday afternoon, GS candidate Tanzila Hossain Baishakhi accused the Commission of using ballots printed by a Jamaat-affiliated company to manipulate results. She claimed that although OMR machine counting was abandoned under pressure, the use of Jamaat-linked ballot papers continued. Chhatra Dal expressed “strong resentment and condemnation” at what they called the Commission’s “partisan behavior” and withdrew from the polls in protest.

In a historic move, Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to cast their votes in the upcoming national elections for the first time, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin announced. Only registered voters holding national ID cards will be eligible, and ballots will be cast via postal voting. To facilitate the process, a new app titled Postal Ballot BD is being developed. Speaking in Toronto at a program with Bangladeshi expatriates, the CEC inaugurated voter registration and NID distribution for overseas Bangladeshis, while urging them to participate actively in the electoral process.

Mojaharul Islam Mitthu, a contractor notorious for his dealings in the health sector during the Awami League government, has been arrested by DB Gulshan police. Joint Police Commissioner Rabiul confirmed on Wednesday night that Mitthu faces graft cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On Thursday, he was handed over to the ACC. The Commission has already approved a case accusing him of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 76 crore, along with embezzlement and money laundering through syndicates.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) leader Hasan Al Mamun has accused the government of delaying both the arrest of those who attacked former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nuru and his much-needed treatment abroad. Speaking outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday, Mamun said Nuru had sustained internal injuries to his nose and brain that required advanced overseas treatment. While expressing satisfaction with DMCH doctors, he insisted long-term care abroad was essential. Mamun alleged that the government was deliberately stalling the arrest of army personnel involved in the attack.

In violence-hit Nepal, army helicopters were seen rescuing government ministers and their families on Thursday, with dramatic footage showing them dangling in harnesses as they were airlifted over a hotel in Kathmandu. The country has been rocked by mass protests led by Gen-Z demonstrators who stormed parliament, torched the house of Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and attacked the residence of Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel. Videos show Finance Minister Paudel being chased and kicked on the street. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, also came under attack at their home. Footage showed the former PM bloodied before army personnel rescued him. Riots spread even to prisons, but the army quickly intervened and relocated inmates. Troops have been patrolling Kathmandu streets, enforcing stay-at-home orders as unrest continues.

The Chhatra Dal-backed panel has alleged that ballot papers for the JAKSU elections were supplied by a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, raising concerns of vote rigging. VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan claimed the Election Commission bypassed standard procurement rules to source ballots and OMR machines from an obscure Jamaat-affiliated firm. Amid mounting pressure from teachers and students, the Commission scrapped OMR-based counting and switched to manual counting. Still, Sadi said their demand for ballots from a neutral source was ignored. He further warned that Jamaat-Shibir activists had been spotted near campus, leaving general students fearful.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Chhatra Parishad (NCP), congratulated the newly elected DUCSU leaders, calling the election “a positive stride for democratic practice.” He said the participatory and competitive polls allowed students to choose their representatives freely and expressed hope that DUCSU will become a true platform for student aspirations. Nahid urged the new leadership to foster a democratic, academic, and violence-free environment at Dhaka University. He also extended best wishes to candidates who contested but did not win, stressing that healthy competition strengthens future leadership. He further called for regular student union elections across all universities and colleges.

Voting at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall was briefly suspended for an hour during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) elections following an unexpected situation. The suspension came at around 11:30 AM on Thursday, when opposition-backed VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan entered the women’s dormitory without prior permission, sparking controversy. Authorities halted the voting process but later resumed it around 12:30 PM. Sadi claimed he entered the hall with a teacher’s permission. Earlier in the morning, both Sadi and Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed VP candidate Arif Ullah Adib had cast their votes at Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. While casting his vote, Sadi accused the administration of providing undue advantage to a rival student group and even alleged the printing of extra ballot papers to favor certain candidates. Adib, however, expressed faith in the general student body.

Hafizur Rahman Sohan, central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was detained Thursday morning during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) elections. Sohan, a former English department student (2006–07 session), was found in a room of Rabindranath Tagore Hall. He claimed he had arrived the previous night and stayed due to illness, though without permission. Hall Provost Prof. Shafiqul Islam said former students residing in halls during elections violates conduct rules, and Sohan was handed over to the university’s proctorial team. Proctor Prof. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam confirmed disciplinary action would follow.

For the third consecutive day, locals in Faridpur have blocked major highways protesting the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions under Constituency-2 instead of Constituency-4. The blockade has disrupted traffic on key routes including Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal, and Jashore-Bhanga-Barishal highways. Protesters set up blockades at eight different points, halting transport across 21 districts. Yesterday, demonstrators had staged a similar blockade from morning until evening before lifting it.

Consensus Commission Vice-President Dr. Ali Riaz has said Bangladesh’s future trajectory hinges on the success of the ongoing reform process, which requires cooperation from all stakeholders. Speaking on Thursday, he confirmed that the commission has been holding dialogues with political parties regarding the implementation of the “July National Charter 2025.” He emphasized that the commission will not impose decisions but will base them on consensus. Dr. Riaz noted that while there were some dissenting opinions, most political parties reached broad agreement. The commission has also consulted experts to refine recommendations.

Leaders of a Shibir-backed student coalition contesting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections paid tribute to martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War at Rayerbazar on Thursday. The leaders said their panel’s journey officially begins with prayers at the mass grave site, pledging to uphold the aspirations of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024. Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem vowed to incorporate students’ opinions in fulfilling manifesto pledges, while GS S.M. Farhad said their work would honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. Farhad also accused Indian media of spreading “false propaganda” on the hijab issue for political agendas.

Bangladesh’s national football team, stranded in Nepal amid political unrest, is set to return home today, according to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Following a Gen-Z–led uprising in Nepal that sparked curfews and violent protests, the players, including captain Jamal Bhuyan, were confined to their hotel. Bangladesh Embassy officials and the army coordinated to ensure the team’s safe departure once Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport reopened. Despite uncertainty, players kept up fitness routines. Midfielder Sohel Rana said, “The situation is calmer now. We’re staying in touch with our families, and BFF is working hard to bring us home.”

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed deep shock and condemnation over the shooting death of U.S. conservative political figure Charlie Kirk. In a statement, Rahman described the killing as “barbaric,” adding that “a democratic society should never tolerate violence against individuals for their political beliefs or activism.” He stressed that religion, ideology, or differing viewpoints cannot justify such a heinous act. He offered condolences and prayers for Kirk’s family and loved ones. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed grief over the killing.