United News of Bangladesh

The National Citizen Party (NCP) officially kicked off its election campaign on Thursday afternoon by paying respect at the graves of the Three National Leaders, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Khawaja Nazimuddin, and Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, located near Doel Chattar of Dhaka University. Following this, party leaders visited the graves of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Osman Hadi, situated adjacent to the Dhaka University Central Mosque. The event was attended by the NCP Convener Nahid Islam, as well as Nasir Uddin Patwari, a candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. Speaking at the venue, Nahid Islam noted that Dhaka University was the starting point for the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the mass uprising of 2024. Consequently, the NCP chose this historic site to begin its electoral journey. Ameer-e-Jamaat launches campaign for Dhaka-15 in Mirpur "We want the election to be held on February 12 at any cost," Nahid Islam stated. "Our sole agenda now is to win that election and represent the people in Parliament." He further alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is failing to maintain neutrality under the current government’s influence. "We have repeatedly pointed out that the Commission is not acting impartially. They are granting special privileges to a particular party. While that party has been campaigning for several days despite it being against the rules, the EC served us a show-cause notice for campaigning in favor of a referendum. We demand true neutrality, yet we are determined to move forward regardless of these obstacles." Nahid Islam emphasized that the NCP remains as steadfast regarding elections and referendums as it has been regarding reforms and justice. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure a fair election on February 12. We expect the 10-party electoral alliance to win by a landslide and form the government," he added. He asserted that the general public is with them and that there is no alternative to a victory for the 10-party alliance to carry forward the spirit of the July uprising and the momentum of national reform. Urging the nation to support the alliance, he said, "We have 30 candidates across the country. I call upon the people to elect them under the 'Shaplakoli' symbol. In Parliament, the NCP and the 10-party alliance will be the voice of the common people, the mass uprising, national reform, and our country's sovereignty."

Wagging tails, curious whiskers and smiling faces filled the Dhaka University Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on Tuesday afternoon (January 20, 2026) as the campus hosted its first-ever Pet Carnival, turning the iconic spot into a lively celebration of companion animals. Organised by Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) with support from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the colourful event brought together pet lovers and their furry friends for an afternoon of fun, learning and awareness. Read more: US colleges welcome pets in dorms to ease students’ stress

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have filed a case against those responsible for attacking DU students at New Market Police Station on Thursday at the Science Lab intersection. The case was lodged on the night of January 15, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office. The press release stated that Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan immediately spoke with the Home Affairs Adviser to ensure the safety of university students. He has also been maintaining communication with the Education Adviser and other senior government officials regarding the matter. Additionally, the university authorities have formally sent a letter to the Home Secretary seeking to ensure the security of student transportation. The release further mentioned that students of the proposed Central University blocked the Science Lab area on the afternoon of January 15. When a bus carrying Dhaka University students was heading toward the campus, the protesters obstructed it. Upon receiving the information, members of the DU Proctorial Body and the Transport Manager rushed to the spot and managed to escort the bus away. During this time, the protesters attacked the DU students, leaving several of them injured. Referendum: DUCSU announces month-long programme to secure victory for ‘Yes’ In protest against the incident, Dhaka University students staged a sit-in at the Nilkhet area on the evening of January 15. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, the Treasurer, the Proctor, the Provost of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, the Director of the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, senior faculty members, assistant proctors, DUCSU leaders, and leaders of the Zahurul Haq Hall unit spoke with the students and expressed solidarity with them. The press release also noted that the administrator of Central University has expressed regret to the Dhaka University authorities over the incident.

A bus of Dhaka University was vandalised at the Science Lab intersection in the capital on Thursday during a blockade enforced by students of seven government colleges, leaving at least two students injured. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm (January 15, 2026) when a Dhaka University bus was halted due to the blockade, said witnesses. Read More: Affiliation of 7 colleges with Dhaka University officially terminated They said an argument broke out between students travelling on the bus and the protesting students of the seven colleges. When members of the university’s proctorial team arrived and were escorting the bus away from the area, bricks were thrown from behind, shattering the bus windows and damaging its exterior.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a month-long programme comprising 15 events across the country to ensure the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming national referendum. The initiatives aim to increase public awareness and participation in the referendum under the pro-reforms slogan, “Vote ‘Yes’, Choose a Safe Bangladesh.” The programmes were announced on Wednesday at a press conference held in front of the DUCSU building. DUCSU Vice President (VP) Shadik Kayem outlined the month-long plan at the briefing. According to the press conference, the 15 initiatives to build public support in favour of ‘Yes’ include nationwide door-to-door outreach, online campaigns, exhibition debates, seminars on state reforms, exchange meetings with civil society members and journalists, discussions with online activists, a discussion titled “Thoughts of the July Injured,” publication of songs, poems and documentaries, speech competitions, street plays and mime performances, dialogue with student and social organisations, and visits to educational institutions across the country to unite students. In his written statement, Shadik Kayem said the core spirit of the July mass uprising was the reform of the existing state structure and the establishment of a discrimination-free society. He described the referendum as a historic pathway to implementing those reforms, adding that participating in the referendum and casting a ‘Yes’ vote is a responsibility to uphold the sacred legacy of the blood of the July martyrs. Hadi shooting: DUCSU leaders march to Home Adviser’s office He said a ‘Yes’ vote would pave the way for reforms such as limiting any individual from serving as prime minister for more than two terms, ensuring transparency in public sector recruitment, enabling public participation in major constitutional changes, increasing women’s representation, safeguarding the legitimate rights of people of all religions and ideologies, and recognising internet access as a fundamental right. At the same time, it would help end the culture of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, secret detention centres, and other human rights violations. At the press conference, DUCSU called upon all anti-fascist political parties including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, along with student organisations, professional bodies, civil society members, and the wider student community and general public to unite and create a nationwide groundswell in favour of the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum.

Professor Md. Ataur Rahman Biswas, chairperson of the Islamic History and Culture (IHC) department at Dhaka University and convener of the University Teachers’ Link (UTL), passed away early Wednesday morning. He was 61. He died in his sleep while staying at Karamjal Tourist Centre in the Sundarbans, said his family. University sources said Professor Ataur Rahman had been at the centre to attend a workshop organised by the Faculty of Arts of Dhaka University. He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, relatives, and a large number of students and well-wishers. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan expressed deep sorrow over the death. In a condolence message, he said Professor Ataur Rahman made remarkable contributions to education and research and played key roles in academic and administrative initiatives including addressing several recent crises faced by the university. The Vice-Chancellor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Dhaka University student dies after brain stroke

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Gulshan residence to visit the grave of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The information was shared shortly after 10:45am on Saturday through a post on BNP’s verified Facebook page. After offering prayers, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the Election Commission office to complete National Identity Card (NID) registration and enlist himself as a voter. Inqilab Moncho shifts blockade from Shahbagh ahead of Tarique’s visit He will later go to  his father-in-law’s house in Dhanmondi. From Dhanmondi, he will go to Evercare hospital to visit his ailing mother. He was supposed to visit National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured during the July 2024 mass uprising, but the programme was cancelled. In a separate Facebook post, BNP’s media cell said Tarique Rahman will not visit Pangu Hospital as there are no injured persons from the July mass uprising receiving treatment there. Tarique Rahman returned to the country on Thursday after 17 years in exile in London. Read more: Tarique arrives at EC’s NID wing to register as voter

Economists and banking experts have expressed deep concern over the government’s plan to merge five struggling Shariah-based banks into a single entity named United Islami Bank, saying such a move will not solve the underlying problems of the banking sector. Bangladesh Bank, however, remains confident that the merger will help restore depositors’ confidence in the affected banks. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Transition of Banking Sector in Bangladesh: Challenges and the Way Forward’ organised by the Department of Banking and Insurance of Dhaka University on Tuesday, experts said merging banks is not a sustainable solution. Without addressing the root causes, they warned, the crisis could deepen once an elected government takes office. The central bank has decided to merge five Shariah-based banks — First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, and Union Bank — into one state-owned large Islamic bank. Bangladesh Bank expects to complete the merger by November. These banks have been plagued by high non-performing loans (NPLs), in some cases exceeding 90 percent, and have repeatedly required liquidity support from the central bank. After several unsuccessful bailouts, the Bangladesh Bank, with the approval of the Finance Ministry and the Council of Advisers, opted for a final merger plan. “Bailing out private banks with public money is a bad decision. On the other hand, turning distressed banks into state-owned institutions in the name of gaining public confidence is simply cheating,” said former Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) Toufic Ahmad Choudhury. He said the biggest problem in Bangladesh’s banking sector is the swelling NPLs. “Every bank needs to form a loan workout committee to handle bad loans. Instead of doing that, the central bank has chosen the merger path,” he said, warning that United Islami Bank could become “the biggest problem in the banking sector” in the future. Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), said the decision to merge banks without considering the impact on capital market investors was unjustified. “Bangladesh Bank must have a clear plan for shareholders of these banks. If the merger fails to resolve the issues, what will the central bank do next? Such contingency measures must be considered before going ahead,” he said. BNP to ensure Bangladesh Bank’s full independence: Khosru Sayema Haque Bidisha, Dhaka University’s Professor of Economics and Pro-Vice Chancellor, however, said the situation has reached a point where there is no alternative to mergers. “We urgently need to form a Banking Commission, and the selection of bank boards must be made more stringent,” she suggested. Despite the concerns, Bangladesh Bank remains optimistic about the merger outcome, as Adviser to the Governor Ahsan Ullah said, “This will create the best Islamic bank in the country’s history.” He admitted that these banks had repeatedly received financial assistance from the central bank but failed to recover. “We can learn from past merger failures. This time, however, the merger will bring positive results,” he said. Citing Janata Bank’s example, he said, “Although Janata Bank has around 70 percent NPLs, its situation has not deteriorated like these five banks. Once merged into a state-owned institution, depositors of these banks will be the ultimate beneficiaries.” Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed attributed the crisis to a ‘moral collapse’ rather than just financial weakness. “What we are witnessing in the banking sector is not an economic or structural crisis — it’s an ethical one,” he said. Expressing optimism, Kabir added that inflation is expected to ease further while reserves will increase. “With reserves at $32 billion, and likely to reach $34 billion soon, the economy is heading back toward a comfort zone,” he said. The deputy governor reaffirmed that the central bank’s current priority is to restore macro-financial stability in the banking sector. Professor Shahidul Zahid, Chairman of the Department of Banking and Insurance at Dhaka University, presided over the seminar.    

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sansad (BAGCHAS) held a rally at Dhaka University on Thursday afternoon to express solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was mostly intercepted by Israel. Titled ‘Sumud: Steadfast,’ the program emphasized Palestinians’ right to self-determination. A procession, which started from the Raju Sculpture at the University of Dhaka and concluded at Projonmo Chattar in Shahbagh, preceded the rally. Protests erupt in major cities after interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

Islami Chhatra Shibir has tightened its grip on Bangladesh’s student politics, storming to a resounding victory in the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Union (JUCSU) elections. Riding high on its earlier victory of Dhaka University’s DUCSU polls, the Shibir-backed ‘Coordinated Student Alliance’ clinched 20 out of 25 central council seats, leaving rival groups trailing far behind. Although independent candidate Abdur Rashid Zitu won the Vice President (VP) post Shibir-backed panel candidates secured the remaining key positions. Zitu grabbed the VP post with 3324 votes. He is the convener of JU’s Gonoovvutthan Rokkha Andolon and a 47th batch student of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture. The results were announced on Saturday at 7 pm by the JU Election Commission. The Shibir-backed candidates elected include General Secretary Mazharul Islam (3930 votes) AGS (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan (2358) AGS (Female) Ayesha Siddiqua Meghla (3402) Education & Research Secretary Abu Ubaida Usama (2428) and Environment & Nature Conservation Secretary Md. Shafayet Mir (2811). Other elected members from the Shibir-backed panel include: Literature & Publication Secretary Jahidul Islam Bappi (1907), Co-Cultural Secretary Md. Raihan Uddin (1986), Drama Secretary Md. Ruhul Islam (1929), Co-Sports Secretary (Female) Farhana Akter Lubna (1976), Co-Sports Secretary (Male) Md. Mahdi Hasan (2105), IT & Library Secretary Md. Rashedul Imon Likhan (2436), Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Female) Nigar Sultana, Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Male) Touhid Islam (2442) Health & Food Security Secretary Husne Mubarak (2653) and Transport & Communication Secretary Tanvir Rahman (2559). JUCSU Polls: Independent Abdur Rashid grabs VP, Shibir’s Mazhar bags GS Executive members include Tarikul Islam (1766) and Abu Talha (1854) (male) and Nabila Binte Harun (2753) Fabliha Jahan (2475) and Nusrat Jahan Ima (3014) (female). Among the remaining five seats three went to independents and two to the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (Bagchas) panel. Independent winners were Cultural Secretary Muhibullah Sheikh Jisan (2018) and Sports Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Kiran (5778). Bagchas won Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Ahsan Labib, 1590) and male executive member (Mohammad Ali Chishti, 2414) post. The elections held for the first time in 33 years saw nearly 68% turnout with about 8000 of 12000 eligible voters casting ballots. Counting took almost 40 hours as votes were tallied manually rather than by machine.