Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the Awami League of engaging in murderous politics even before coming to power, beginning with the October 28, 2023, sit-in. Speaking at a Rukon (member) conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami's Moulvibazar district unit on Saturday, he said, "AL started the killings before coming to power. On December 29, 2008, they came to power through backdoor negotiations. As soon as they came to power, they started the politics of murder." BNP begins talks with allies over national election He claimed the first act of violence occurred at Pilkhana, where he said the Awami League carried out the massacre. He also accused AL of targeting various political and social groups, stating, "First, they attacked Jamaat, then they arrested BNP leaders, humiliated Hefazat, and even disrespected the country's scholars and ulama. They killed and disappeared journalists and imprisoned them." The conference, which began at around 12:30 pm, was presided over by Jamaat's Moulvibazar District Ameer Engineer Md. Shahed Ali, with District Secretary Md. Yamir Ali as moderator. Regarding relations with India, he said "The country where she (Sheikh Hasina) has taken refuge is our neighbor. With respect to our neighbor, I want you to live in peace, and let us live in peace.” Formation of King's Party would cost interim government its credibility: Rizvi “You (India) talk about communal harmony to us, but take a good look at your own face in the mirror. How do you treat those you call minorities there?" The Jamaat leader also raised concerns about the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now renamed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), alleging that the force was destroyed through a conspiracy. Among the leaders who spoke at the conference were Jamaat's central assistant secretary Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Md. Selim Uddin, Dhaka Paltan Police Station President Shahin Ahmed Khan, Sylhet District Ameer Md. Habibur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Advocate Abdur Rob, and others.

BNP on Saturday began talks with political parties that waged a simultaneous movement with it against the Awami League regime to consolidate unity and seek their opinions on the next general election. The fresh round of talks with all its allied political parties started with the first meeting of the 12-party alliance leaders. CA’s election statement disappointing, says Fakhrul BNP liaison committee members, headed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, participated in the meeting, which began around 4 pm. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo also attended the meeting. Later, the party is also scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, LDP and the Labour Party today. Fakhrul visits Labaid to pay homage to Adviser Hassan Ariff The party will also hold meetings with other like-mined parties and alliances in the days to come.  A party Standing Committee member said they would discuss the country’s latest political situation and seek the opinions of the alliance partners regarding the upcoming election, the government’s reform initiatives and the Chief Adviser’s probable election roadmap. He said they would work out their next course of action based on the suggestions of their like-minded political parties. The BNP leader said they also planned to focus on further strengthening their unity and convey a message to the alliance partners to speak in unison to mount pressure on the government to hold the national election as soon as possible, without unnecessary delays. He said they would also discuss the ongoing efforts by those involved in the anti-discrimination movement to form a political party, the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee." The BNP leader expressed concerns that the government might try to schedule the election for 2026, giving the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee" enough time to organise itself. "We have no objection if anyone launches a political party. But we do object if any party is formed under the patronage of the interim government and the state. We also oppose any delay in the election solely to provide a party with space to organise under the pretext of reforms." BNP welcomes HC verdict scrapping part of 15th Amendment Earlier on December 16, Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus indicated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026. A day later, his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, clarified that the next general election could be expected to take place by June 30, 2026. "He (CA) has provided a timeline. What could be a clearer roadmap than this? You can expect the election to be held by June 30, 2026. This is a clear roadmap," he said while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

Former national cricket captain and Narail-2 MP Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has been sued in a case along with 594 others, including his father, Golam Mortaza Swapan, over attack on the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on August 4 The case was filed at Lohagara Police Station on Monday night, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lohagara Police Station Md. Ashiqur Rahman on Tuesday. Mashrafe sued over hostile takeover of shares in BPL franchise The other accused include district leaders of the Awami League and Chhatra League, among others. Kazi Md. Yajur Rahman Babu, chief organiser of the Narail district unit of the movement, filed the case naming 295 individuals alongside approximately 300 unnamed persons. Mashrafe joins Sylhet, Mahmudullah stays with Barishal as BPL teams finalize rosters The accused, associated with the Awami League and its affiliates, carried out the attack on August 4. The incident reportedly occurred at the C&B Intersection in Lohagara upazila during a programme organised by the students, Babu alleged. According to the case statement, 15-20 students, including the plaintiff, were injured as the attackers used machetes, bamboo sticks, and iron rods. The attackers also allegedly detonated explosives to disperse the students. Mashrafe set to play US Masters T10 League Investigations were underway, said the OC.

The International Crimes Tribunal has imposed a ban on the dissemination of inflammatory remarks by Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the media and on social media platforms. A three-member bench, led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza, issued the order on Thursday. The Tribunal also directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove the remarks from digital platforms. Interim Govt to pursue crimes against humanity charges at ICC against Hasina regime: Chief Adviser Yunus Earlier on Thursday, the prosecution filed a petition with the Tribunal requesting a ban on the circulation of Sheikh Hasina's controversial statements. Prosecutors argued that Sheikh Hasina, who is wanted for charges related to genocide and crimes against humanity, has been making provocative statements while living in exile in India. The petition specifically sought to block any statements by her that incite hatred against the country, its people, or the current government on social media and in the media. Earlier, on November 18, the Tribunal instructed a one-month investigation into Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in the July-August genocide case.

The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed a High Court (HC) order that declared August 15 as a national holiday in observance of National Mourning Day in 2008. A six-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order after hearing an appeal submitted challenging the HC order, said Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haq. The state submitted the appeal against the HC order, he said. In 1996, the then Awami League (AL) government declared August 15, the day of the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and some of his family members, as a national mourning day and a public holiday. Read: Observance of March 7, Aug 15, 6 other national days to be cancelled However, the four-party alliance government, led by the BNP, scrapped the national mourning day and holiday in 2002. In 2008, AL-backed three lawyers filed a writ petition with the HC, and the court declared the BNP-led government's decision invalid, restoring the observance of National Mourning Day and the public holiday. The appeal was filed with the HC seeking a stay order on the observance of August 15 and the public holiday.

Thirteen accused including nine former ministers of the ousted Awami League government have been produced before the  International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in cases over the killings during the July-August mass uprising. ICT chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam said they were produced before the tribunal on Monday after showing them arrested in cases over crimes against humanity. All the accused are now behind the bars in other cases, he added. Those who were produced before the tribunal are former law minister Anisul Huq, civil aviation and tourism minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu, former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former prime minister's power, energy and mineral resources adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury. Read: We’ll seek repatriation of dictator Sheikh Hasina: Prof Yunus Ex minister Dr Dipu Moni,  Hasina’s adviser and businessman Salman F Rahman, former minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, former minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam and former minister Dipu Moni were among them. Though former agriculture minister Dr Abdur Razzak was supposed to be produced with the above ones, he could not be produced due to his illness. Earlier on October 27, the ICT ordered to produce the 14 accused on November 18. Besides, the court ordered to produce former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun, former army official Ziaul Ahsan, former police officials Abdullah Al Kafi, Arafat Hossain, Abul Hasan and Mazharul Islam on November 20. Various complaints including that of killing,  torture, abduction and harassment  were lodged with the ICT after the Sheikh Hasina-led government was toppled on August 5. Over 1000 people were killed and many injured during the July and August uprising, which began as protests over government jobs and later escalated into an anti-government movement, leading to widespread violence and the end of Hasina's 15-year rule.

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday urged students and the mass people to put up a strong resistance to prevent the resurgence of the Awami League and its associates. "The fascist face of the Awami League that has been exposed must remain unveiled and its cohorts must be prevented from gaining control over the government or rising again. To thwart this, the freedom-loving students and the masses must remain vigilant, united, and resolute in resisting any such attempts." Dr Moyeen made the remarks while inaugurating a financial support and rehabilitation programme for the students injured during the July-August revolution at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka. BNP leaders accuse AL of using Trump’s image for political comeback He said the BNP and other parties played a crucial role through a long movement in creating a ground for the ousting of the Awami League's autocratic regime. "Subsequently, students and the masses joined the movement, and in the face of this popular uprising, the Awami regime was not only defeated but also fled the country like cowards," the BNP leader said. He said the fall of the Awami League regime had proven that truth and justice ultimately triumph over injustice, repression, and suppression. Dr Moyeen, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the first phase of the student-led mass movement was the formation of the interim government and their swearing in. "The second phase is securing a fair election, which we have yet to achieve. BNP firmly believes in a fair and impartial election. Once that is held, and a truly people’s representatives take charge of the country through the people's vote, the success of this movement will be realised," he added. Later, Dr Moyeen visited patients who had sustained various injuries during the movement at the hospital and provided financial assistance to 51 of them.  

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a mass gathering at Zero Point in Gulistan, Dhaka, demanding the trial of the fallen 'autocratic' government led by Awami League. The program will be held tomorrow, starting at 12 PM. This has been confirmed by the coordinator of the movement, Umama Fatema. Umama's fellow coordinator Hasnat Abdullah shared on his Facebook page that similar programs are being organized in districts across the country under this theme. He emphasized that the protests should avoid any public inconvenience or violence. He warned that the Awami League's "terrorists" might engage in vandalism and arson in disguise, intending to blame students and the public. He urged that any Awami League members found should be handed over to the police. Hasnat also mentioned that the gathering will be a spontaneous participation of all political, cultural parties, and organizations that support the people's uprising. Earlier, Awami League announced a program on the same day at the same venue, just a few hours later at 3pm - ostensibly to mark Noor Hossain Day. The party stated on its verified Facebook page: "Join us in Dhaka in masses to protect independence, sovereignty, democracy, and establish justice." Read: 2 buses burnt in Dhaka’s Gulistan since this morning This was AL's first call for such a program since August 5. Interest around the proposed program peaked with the leak of a call record over the weekend, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is heard urging a junior activist to stage a showdown on occasion of Noor Hossain Day, taking advantage of what she perceives to be the interim government's weakness at the moment. She is also heard instructing the worker to adorn the usual posters for the meeting featuring images of Hasina herself, and her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with that of US president-elect, as well as formerly, Donald Trump - in a naked attempt to stoke the Republican's ego and enlist his support for the return of AL and Hasina to power in Bangladesh. Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Chief Advisor, wrote on his Facebook that Awami League, as a fascist party, will not be allowed to organise any protests in Bangladesh. Alam warned of a strong law enforcement response against anyone attempting to organize rallies, marches, or meetings under the instructions of the "mass murderer" and autocrat, Sheikh Hasina.

Amidst calls to ban the Awami League and Jatiya Party, BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday stated that it is ultimately up to people to determine whom to accept or reject, through a transparent national election. Speaking at a discussion, he expressed that restoring democracy will serve as a form of retribution for those who have undermined it. “We have been asked to clarify BNP's stance on banning the Awami League and Jatiya Party. Why should the BNP need to clarify its position on this issue?” Gayeshwar questioned. He added that both the people of Bangladesh and the BNP desire the interim government to quickly hold the national election. “People will decide who should be rejected and who should be accepted through the election. So, any imprudent decision will not bring welfare or peace to the country,” he stated. BNP delegation set visit China at Chinese Communist Party’s invitation The Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to commemorate National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7. Gayeshwar, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said that the term ‘reform’ became stigmatised during the 1/11 political changeover due to ulterior motives. He said that while there is widespread support for necessary state reforms, attempts to consolidate power by banning a political party or promoting depoliticisation will not serve the nation’s interests. BNP announces 10-day prog to observe ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ “Those who deserve banning have, in effect, banned themselves and departed from the country; now there is no one to raise their banner or slogans,” he asserted. The BNP leader said political parties should not engage in retribution against each other. “We are fighting for democracy, and the restoration of democracy is the means of taking that revenge on (the Awami League).” He also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country due to her long history of disregarding the law. “After her downfall, how could she abide by the law? If she were not afraid of the law, she would not have left the country; she would have stayed in jail.”

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Awami League exhibited “all the characteristics of fascism”, saying it has “no place” in the country’s politics for now. In an interview with the Financial Times, Prof Yunus also said that Bangladesh will not pursue the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, until the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal delivers its verdict. Bangladesh's success under Prof Yunus is in India's best interest: American-Indian businessman Khosla Prof Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed a firm stance against the Awami League, the party led by Hasina. “In the short run, definitely she has no place — the Awami League doesn’t have a place — in Bangladesh.” He further criticized the party’s tactics: “They controlled the people, they controlled the [political] machinery, they controlled the institutions to enhance their interest.” Awami League has faced accusations from political opponents and human rights groups over election rigging, extrajudicial killings, and seizing control of state institutions during Hasina’s lengthy rule. Since her departure, discussions in Bangladesh have emerged on whether to temporarily suspend the party, mandate its reform, or ban it from political involvement altogether, the Financial Times report said. Rohingya Crisis: Prof Yunus seeks urgent int’l conf to find solution The Chief Adviser speculated that Awami League might collapse, but he emphasized that any decision regarding the party’s political future would be the prerogative of other political parties, as his interim government is not “a political government.” He noted that whether Awami League could participate in future elections would depend on a “consensus” among political parties. “They have to decide their political space,” he said. Prof Yunus, known for his pioneering work with Grameen Bank and as a self-described “banker to the poor,” had previously been targeted by Hasina’s administration. His interim government, which includes student leaders, is setting the stage for elections and has established 10 commissions for reforms in key institutions like the police, judiciary, and public administration, added the report. He expressed no intention of forming a political party or joining politics, saying, “Our job is to get things settled and get a new reform agenda done,” before engaging political parties in election preparations. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government has strained relations with India, which had been her key supporter. Prof Yunus mentioned that while his government would eventually seek her extradition, they would wait for a tribunal verdict. “She is charged with crimes against humanity...when the verdict comes out, we’ll try to get her back through the extradition treaty” with India. He did not believe there was cause to pursue this before a verdict, the report also said. Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, had earlier dismissed allegations of her responsibility for violence against protesters, claiming she was prepared to face any charges as she “did nothing illegal.” After Hasina’s ousting, many of her supporters went into hiding, with reports of retaliatory violence against Awami League members. Chief Adviser Yunus also acknowledged the impact of India’s lukewarm support on his government, noting that the two nations are closely interconnected through power, water, and infrastructure projects, and share a long history. He extended an invitation to Modi, saying, “We tried to… emphasize the fact that we are neighbors, we need each other, we must have the best relationship that any two neighbors should have.”