Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh highlights: Yunus govt perpetrating atrocities against non-Muslims, says Hasina

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The ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, took a sharp jibe at Muhammad Yunus over the atrocities against minorities that have been ongoing in the country for the past few days. 

The 78-year-old Awami League leader also said that the current ruling group, which has seized power illegally, is setting "horrific precedents such as burning religious minorities to death", in an apparent reference to the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh last week.

In her message on the occasion of Christmas, Hasina accused the Yunus government of interfering with the freedom of people of all religions and communities to practice their own faiths.

"In particular, it is perpetrating unspeakable atrocities against non-Muslims. It has even set horrific precedents such as burning religious minorities to death. I firmly believe that the people of Bangladesh will not allow this dark time to continue any longer," she said.

The Hindu population in Bangladesh has been affected by a series of incidents against minority communities in the country after the ouster of Hasina government in August last year. Last week, a 25-year-old Hindu worker was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh city.

On Monday, minority groups in Bangladesh held a protest in Dhaka over the interim government's failure to prevent the persecution of minorities.

Hasina hoped that Christmas would further strengthen the existing bonds of harmony and goodwill between Christians and followers of other religions in Bangladesh.

"On this festive occasion of Christmas, I wish all Christian brothers and sisters happiness, peace, and prosperity," she said.

"May darkness give way to dawn. May Bangladesh live forever," she added.

(With inputs from PTI)

Deposed Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday strongly criticised the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of carrying out "unspeakable atrocities" against non-Muslims. In a Christmas message, the 78-year-old Awami League leader alleged that the unelected regime has undermined religious freedom and set “horrific precedents,” including the killing of religious minorities. Referring to the recent lynching of a Hindu man, Hasina said Bangladesh’s people would not tolerate such darkness for long.

After a Hindu man was beaten to death by a group of villagers in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district late on Wednesday night, the local government called it the spread of misleading information about the man's killing. Police investigations confirmed the incident was not communal in nature but linked to criminal activity. The deceased, Amrit Mandal alias Samrat, was a wanted criminal involved in murder and extortion, who was killed during a clash with locals while demanding extortion money, they said.

Records show that Samrat was a wanted suspect in several serious cases, including murder and extortion filed in 2023, and had active arrest warrants against him.

Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor on Thursday shared a strong message over the lynching and death of Dipu Das in Bangladesh. 

"Dipu Chandra Das.

What is happening in Bangladesh is barbaric. It is slaughter, and it is not an isolated incident. If you don't know about his inhumane public lynching, read about it, see the videos, and ask questions. And if, despite all of this, you feel no rage, then it is exactly this kind of hypocrisy that will destroy us before we know it. We will continue to cry about things halfway across the globe while our own brothers and sisters are burnt to death. Communal discrimination and extremism in any and every form, whether we are the victims or the perpetrators, needs to be called out and condemned before we forget our humanity. We are pawns that believe we reside on either side of an invisible line. Recognise this. And equip yourself with knowledge so u can take a stand for the innocent lives that are continuously lost and terrorised in this communal crossfire," she wrote.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a sharp jibe at Mamata Banerjee over the death of Amrit Mondal in Bangladesh. 

"Another Hindu has been lynched in Bangladesh. No wonder Mamata Banerjee opposes CAA, which gives citizenship to Hindus who face persecution in Bangladesh, and also opposes the SIR, which would remove her Bangladeshi and Rohingya vote bank," the BJP wrote on X. 

Mondal was beaten to death in Bangladesh nearly two days ago over allegations of extortions.

A group of citizens in Nepal on Thursday protested against the ongoing atrocities against the Hindus in Bangladesh.

On the present situation prevailing in Bangladesh, Saddam Hussain, the former President of Chhatra League (the student wing of the banned Awami League), Saddam Hussain, said, "There is a situation of total lawlessness in Bangladesh... The mob is actually ruling Bangladesh... The government is facilitating this in every way possible. Extremists were openly meeting with international terrorist organisations, Pakistan-backed organisations, and those who were previously convicted of heinous attacks.... What Osman Hadi's brother said paints a sad but accurate picture of the current situation... The government is responsible for all the things that happen inside Bangladesh..."

After seeing his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman left for his residence in Dhaka's Gulshan. 

He is accompanied by several bigshots of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The supporters of the BNP have gathered on the streets to see him after 17 years.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday called on countrymen to join hands to maintain law and order, in his first address to party supporters hours after his arrival in Dhaka after a gap of 17 years. 

“Whatever political party we belong to, whatever religion we believe in, whether we are non-partisan individuals – all must join hands to maintain law and order,” he told thousands of party supporters gathered at the July 36 Expressway in the capital, where he went straight after arriving at the airport.

Rahman's call for maintaining law and order came amid a fresh wave of unrest and political instability gripping Bangladesh following the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was a prominent face in last year's mass protests that forced the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime ministership in the polls.

Another Hindu man in Bangladesh died in an incident of mob lynching over charges of extortion. The deceased is identified as Amrit Mondal alias Samrat. 

The police have arrested a man called Mohammed Selim in the case, as reported by The Daily Star.

Bangladesh's slain radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi's brother has alleged that a section within the interim government of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus plotted the killing to derail the upcoming general election.

Hours after his claim, Md Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Special Assistant (Ministry of Home Affairs) to the Chief Adviser, resigned from the position.

"It is you who got Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue. Those who are in power when Osman Hadi was killed, you won't be able to evade the responsibility," Hadi's brother Omar Hadi told a protest rally in the capital staged by Inqilab Mancha on Tuesday.

Omar said that the government must "immediately expose the entire group involved" in his brother's killing to the nation. He warned, "Otherwise, you will be forced to flee the country," referencing the fate of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime.

Hadi, a staunch critic of India alongside the Awami League, was one of the leaders of last year’s violent student-led street protest dubbed the July Uprising that toppled the Hasina-led government and later floated the Inqilab Mancha.

(With inputs from PTI)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman has reached Dhaka's Evercare Hospital along with several other BNP leaders. 

His wife and daughter reached earlier. Rahman is set to meet mother, Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh police announced a reward for information on attackers who set a Hindu-owned house on fire near the southeastern port city of Chattogram, as mob violence emerged as a major crisis in the changed political landscape.

Chattogram range’s police chief, Ahsan Habib, offered the bounty on Wednesday night without specifying the amount during his visit to the burned-down house of Qatar expatriate workers Shukh Shil and Anil Shil in the Raojan area on the outskirts of the city, Ittefaq newspaper reported on Thursday. 

According to reports, unidentified miscreants set the home on fire on Tuesday night, but the residents managed to come out of the house unharmed.

  Family members said they woke up after sensing the heat of the fire in the predawn hours, but were initially unable to come out as the doors were locked from the outside. The eight members of the two families escaped the burning house after cutting through tin sheets and bamboo fencing.

  A series of arson attacks targeting the homes of Hindu families took place in the past week in the same area. Police said they have arrested five suspects and formed a "special security team" to ensure safety in the neighbourhood, The Business Standard newspaper reported. 

  “Houses of seven Hindu families were burned in three separate localities (at Raojan)” in five days, the report read.

  Raozan Police Station chief Sajedul Islam said so far, five suspects have been arrested in police raids, and manhunts were underway for others. 

The police held a meeting with local influential people to ensure interfaith harmony and social vigilance against perpetrators of such “heinous crimes”.
 

Tarique Rahman nears Dhaka's Evercare Hospital. At present, his convoy is at Basundhara.

Tarique Rahman's wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Zaima Rahman reached Evercare Hospital to see Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman is on his way to meet his mother, Khaleda Zia, at Dhaka's Evercaere Hospital. 

His convoy is greeted by thousands of people who gathered to see him after 17 years.

Rahman will reach hospital in sometime.

In his speech, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson, Tarique Rahman, highlighted the role of the youth in building a nation. 

He emphasised that the younger generation will play a significant role in building a new Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader, Tarique Rahman, took a sharp jibe at the erstwhile Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, over her alleged authoritarian rule. 

In his speech, Rahman said that in the 15 years of Hasina's regime, no one could raise a voice against her administration as fear gripped entire Bangladesh.

Scores of BNP supporters attempted to approach Tarique Rahman after his speech, and his security personnel had to struggle to keep them at bay.

Lakhs of people gathered at Purabachal, Dhaka, to see Rahman, who returned to the country after 17 years.

Touching upon the ongoing incidents of atrocities, Tarique Rahman, in his speech, vouched for an all-inclusive and tolerant Bangladesh that would ensure participation from people across all communities and ethnicities. He spoke about building stable relationships among Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus. 

Additionally, he advocated for coordination between people from the mainland and those from the hills.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman spoke about his ailing mother in his speech. 

Rahman said that his heart beats for his mother, Khaleda Zia, who is presently admitted at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital.

While addressing his supporters, Tarique Rahman referred to Martin Luther King, saying he has a plan to build a better Bangladesh. 

He asserted that the BNP would work tirelessly to bring peace and discipline to the country.

While addressing his supporters from the stage, Tarique Rahman remembered Osman Hadi, who was assassinated a few days back. 

Paying his homage to the deceased leader, he said that Hadi had a dream of a democratic Bangladesh and the BNP would work to fulfill his dream.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman is addressing his supporters after returning to Bangladesh. 

In his speech, Rahman paid homage to the 1971 liberation movement. In addition, he also expressed his gratitude to the July 2024 uprising. 

Rahman also gave a call to build an inclusive Bangladesh with participation from people across all communities and ethnicities.

BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, surrounded by supporters of BNP, enroute to the reception venue in Purbachal.

Amid political turmoil and a major shift in the country's political landscape, Bangladesh's interim government confirmed that the Awami League, led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will not participate in the February 2026 national parliamentary elections due to a ban on its activities.

Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, a leader of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, has decided to run as an independent candidate from a seat that was represented by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a report by The Daily Star.

Pramanik, an advocate, has collected the nomination form to contest from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency in the Bangladesh national election, scheduled for February 2026. 

"I consider myself a neutral person. I have no affiliation with any political party, nor have I ever been involved in party politics," Pramanik told The Daily Star. "Elected MPs from political parties often cannot raise the problems of ordinary people due to party discipline. I want to overcome that limitation and speak on behalf of the people."

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke over the phone with Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, as reported by the Prothomalo After returning to Bangladesh today, Thursday, he spoke with the head of the government from the VIP lounge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Death, it is said, is the ultimate truth. In this case, the deaths of two Bangladeshis last week also expose the truth about the West's bias. While the US and European countries went out of the way to express their grief over Sharif Osman Hadi's killing, the silence over the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das was deafening.

Read full report: Here

Upon his arrival, Tarique Rahman performed a symbolic gesture by removing his shoes and standing barefoot on the soil of his motherland, touching the ground of Bangladesh before beginning his massive roadshow, party sources said, describing the act as an emotional moment marking the end of his long exile and the start of his public outreach.

Amid escalating tensions and reports of violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, the Malda Hotel Owners’ Association has announced a significant policy shift, effectively closing their doors to Bangladeshi nationals. This decision comes as the Border Security Force (BSF) significantly intensifies its vigil along the international border to monitor movement during the ongoing period of instability in the neighboring country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters march to the Dhaka Airport, where the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, recently arrived, ending his 17-year-old exile. He returned to Bangladesh after living in London for 17 years, since 2008, following multiple corruption cases.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) executive chairman Tariq Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Thursday, ending a 17-year exile and marking the start of what party leaders describe as his political "second innings". Rahman landed in the capital Dhaka earlier in the day, triggering heightened security arrangements. He is scheduled to address the nation at 3 pm, his first public address since returning to Bangladesh.

After his arrival, Rahman will travel to the rally venue in a bulletproof bus. Security officials said the distance between the landing point and the rally area is around 300 feet, with tight protection in place.

BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday expressed deep concern over what she described as rising communal violence and persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, citing attacks on life, property and religious freedom, including the recent killing of a Dalit youth that has triggered nationwide outrage in India. In a statement, Mayawati said the situation has caused widespread anxiety not only in India but elsewhere, and urged the central government to take immediate cognisance and play a more active and effective role at all levels.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today described the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman after more than 17 years in exile as a historic and unforgettable moment in Bangladesh's democratic journey, as reported by the Daily Star.

A bulletproof bus arrived at the CIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning amid heightened security arrangements ahead of the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, as reported by The daily Star. The specially prepared red-and-green bus features large portraits of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and party founder Ziaur Rahman, along with slogans highlighting democracy and political struggle displayed on its sides.

BNP's Tarique Rahman is returning to Dhaka from London on Thursday after 17 years in exile. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying him made a stopover at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet before proceeding to the capital, where it arrived at around 9:58 am.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said India had acted in the right “humanitarian spirit” by not forcing Sheikh Hasina to return, describing her as a long-time friend of India, and stressing that complex legal and treaty-related issues were understood by only a few. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said the matter should be left to the government for due consideration, but until a detailed examination of treaty obligations and exceptions is completed, India should continue to allow Hasina to remain safely while the authorities study the issue further.

Tarique Rahman is likely to be fielded from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) seat, while BNP chairperson Zia will again contest from her bastion - Bogura-7 (Gabtali-Shajahanpur) constituency.

Tarique Rahman's return to Bangladesh holds much significance for India, especially when the pro-India Awami League barred from contesting the elections and Zia is hospitalised. It comes at a time when Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with radical Islamists running amok and spewing anti-India hate under interim chief Muhammad Yunus. n such a scenario, the BNP is being seen by India as a more liberal and democratic option, even though they share historically strained ties. 

Read the full report: Here

The plane carrying BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has entered Bangladesh’s airspace, marking the final leg of his journey home after 17 years in exile. 

The National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the youth protest movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina, said it views Tarique Rahman’s return positively. “Tarique Rahman was forced into exile under severe pressure and threats, so his homecoming carries symbolic weight,” said Khan Muhammad Mursalin, adding that his arrival would energise party leaders and supporters. “On the path to democracy, we will stand with him,” he said.

The US Embassy Dhaka issued a traffic advisory a couple of days ago for the return of Tarique Rahman, citing media reports that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) plans a large gathering. The embassy warned of heavy traffic congestion, advised commuters to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes, and urged airport-bound passengers to carry travel documents and be prepared for police checks.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday said Dhaka has been witnessing a massive influx of people since morning as supporters pour into the city to welcome acting chairperson Tarique Rahman on his return, with large crowds gathering along key routes and public areas to mark the occasion.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 12:00 pm on Thursday, according to the plan shared by party sources to the local media.

• He will receive an official welcome at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee.
• A public reception is planned along Purbachal’s 300 Feet Road, where large crowds of supporters are expected.
• Rahman is scheduled to visit Evercare Hospital Dhaka to meet his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
• He will later proceed to Feroza residence in Gulshan.
• Rahman may also visit his father’s grave at Chandrima Udyan, sources said.

A total of 50 lakh supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are expected to gather to welcome Tarique Rahman as he returns to the country ahead of the crucial general elections scheduled for February next year. Rahman’s homecoming has assumed added political significance amid widespread public outrage over the killing of anti-India student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the home ministry, has resigned from his post, with the resignation accepted by the President of Bangladesh on December 24. His exit comes amid mounting pressure following the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in a gun attack on December 12, which had sparked calls for accountability over the country’s deteriorating law and order situation.

Police have arrested Himon Rahman Shikdar, an activist of the Jubo League from Adabar Thana, in connection with the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and a prospective candidate from Dhaka-8. Shikdar is an associate of Alamgir, the motorcyclist allegedly involved in the murder. 

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has left London for Dhaka, ending 17 years in exile, party sources said on Wednesday. Rahman was seen at Heathrow Airport as he prepared to board a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight amid what the BNP described as serious security threats. According to the party’s media cell, Rahman left his London residence with his family around 8:05 pm Bangladesh time and entered the airport at 10:18 pm (Bangladesh time) on December 24, marking a politically significant return ahead of his homecoming to Bangladesh.

Sheikh Enan, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, has denied allegations that the organisation was involved in the killing of student leader Osman Hadi, calling the claims a “conspiracy” orchestrated by Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking to ANI from an undisclosed location, Enan criticised the interim government and held it responsible for the violence that erupted following Hadi’s death.

Bangladeshi journalist Muktadir Rashid said he remains confident that elections will be held in February 2026, playing down concerns stemming from recent unrest. Speaking to ANI, Rashid noted that while political killings are not new in Bangladesh, the murder of student leader Osman Hadi shocked the nation and contributed to confusion and political turmoil as the election approaches.

Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, the former police chief who had served as the Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant overseeing the home ministry, has resigned. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday night, a move confirmed by Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

While Christmas celebrations, the most significant festival in the Christian faith, are taking place across Bangladesh, Christian leaders have voiced concerns following recent incidents. On December 2, several churches and individuals received a threatening letter purportedly sent by a group calling itself ‘Tawheed Muslim Janata.’

As relations between India and Bangladesh face strain following recent developments in the neighbouring country, former diplomat Mahesh Sachdev said the interim government in Dhaka is keen to de-escalate tensions, and that India would be willing to respond in kind.

A man was killed in Dhaka after a crude bomb was thrown from a flyover, BD News reported, citing police. The explosion occurred at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday beneath the flyover near the gate of the Muktijoddha Central Command Council.

Acting BNP Chairman Tarek Rahman has reached Heathrow Airport in London to depart for Dhaka and is scheduled to arrive there around 11:30 am IST. Upon arrival, he will head to the venue to address his supporters before proceeding to a hospital to meet his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Following the death of Dipu Chandra Das in a mob lynching in Bangladesh, several Hindu organisations held a protest in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla.

The Global TV journalist Naznin Munni, in an interview with India Today, told India Today that she was labelled as an Awami League supporter by the extremists, and was threatened with fatal consequences.

"The youths who issued the threat said I am aligned with Awami League and was Sheikh Hasina's aide. That's why they threatened," Naznin, a popular TV anchor in Dhaka, said. While the youths claimed to be members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which led the uprising against Hasina last year, the outfit has distanced itself from the incident.

An unidentified miscreant in Dhaka University vandalised the famous Madhur Canteen while chanting the poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Following the incident, the security guards took the man into their custody and handed him over to the police. 

The canteen is known as a living memory of the Language Movement, the mass uprising, and the Liberation War. It was started by Madhusudan Das in 1921.
 

Senior members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote to Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, urging restoration of political activities and credible reforms ahead of national elections. The lawmakers flagged concerns over suspension of parties, flawed past polls, and alleged human rights violations, calling for an inclusive, democratic transition.

Addressing the unrest in Bangladesh and the atrocities against minorities, the National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said," Atrocities against minorities anywhere in the world, whether in Bangladesh or elsewhere, are wrong. It is the responsibility of governments to ensure the safety of minorities. The Indian government should take this issue very seriously and engage in talks with the Bangladesh government, while also ensuring the safety of minorities in our own country, as such incidents have a spiral effect..."

Bangladesh has witnessed an increase in attacks against Hindu minorities in the last few years. According to a statement by the Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh, issued during the Winter Session last year, a total of 76 attacks on Hindus had been reported in Bangladesh between November 26, 2024, and January 25.

Since August, 23 Hindu deaths and 152 attacks on Hindu temples have been reported. He also stated that on December 10, 2024, the government of Bangladesh announced in a press release that 70 people had been arrested in connection with 88 cases of attacks on minorities, and police investigations confirmed 1,254 incidents.

Through a post on X, Jamaat-E-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman condemned the Dhaka bomb attack that killed a man on Christmas Eve. 

A group of US lawmakers has expressed concern over the total ban on the Awami League party of Bangladesh's deposed Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, ahead of elections scheduled in the country early next year.

The party was officially disbanded on May 12 by the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. 

In a letter sent to Yunus on Tuesday, the lawmakers said that the Bangladeshi people deserve to choose an elected government through a free and fair election, calling on him to ensure "inclusive elections."

Yunus’ press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, on Wednesday said he was not aware of the letter but said the interim government's stance regarding the Awami League remained unchanged.

"I have not personally seen the letter and am not aware of the matter yet. However, the government's position on the Awami League remains firm,” he said when asked for comments on the letter at a press briefing.

Alam added, “Since its activities are banned and its registration as a political party has been cancelled by the Election Commission, Awami League will not be able to contest this election".

The letter was signed by Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Representative Bill Huizenga, Ranking Member Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Member of Congress Julie Johnson, and Representative Tom Suozzi.

It expressed concern over the total ban of the political party ahead of elections in February.

An unidentified miscreant on Christmas Eve in Dhaka threw a petrol bomb on Christmas Eve in Dhaka's Mogbazar area. 

The bomb killed one person near the New Eskaton AG Church. The deceased is identified as Saiful Islam.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has asked for government assistance for the family members of Dipu Chandra Das, the Bangladeshi Hindu youth who was lynched to death by a mob, last Thursday.

The Bangladesh interim government on Wednesday said that the Dipu Das lynching case in Dhaka will be handed over to a fast-track court. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the case will be heard by a speedy trial tribunal to ensure expeditious proceedings. He added that the shootout case linked to Hadi will also be transferred to a fast-track court. Alam said the interim government is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent investigation in the Dipu Das lynching case. He noted that the main suspect is yet to be arrested, but said investigations are underway and efforts are on to bring all those involved to justice.

Outside the state assembly of Uttar Pradesh, the members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad held a protest against Bangladesh.

 During the demonstration, the protesters burnt an effigy of Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Yunus.

Through the protest, concerns were raised over the safety of Hindus living in Bangladesh. 

The Bajrang Dal leaders on Wednesday staged a protest in West Bengal's Darjeeling against Bangladesh. 

The protesters carried flags and shouted slogans, including "Bangladesh and Pakistan Murdabad" and "Rohingyas Go Back." The participants were seen striking a photograph of Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, with their feet.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman is all set to land in Dhaka tomorrow. 

To mark his official return, a mega road show from Dhaka Airport to Gulshan has been planned. 

An estimated 5 million people are expected to attend the roadshow.

UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan has called on the Bangladesh government to "promptly and effectively investigate the killing of Osman Hadi, while expressing deep alarm over recent attacks on media outlets in the country.

In her statement, Khan urged the Yunus-led interim government to ensure accountability and protect press freedom amid rising violence and intimidation targeting journalists and media institutions.
 

Bangladesh's Inqilab Mancha has demanded that the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi be tried within the next 30 working days through a fast-track judicial tribunal, with assistance from international intelligence agencies.

Leaders and activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party staged a protest at Ghojadanga on the Basirhat border, blocking the Old Satkhira Road near the Ghojadanga land port to condemn alleged atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The protesters raised slogans over the killing of Dipu Das in Bangladesh and demanded the strictest punishment, including capital punishment, for those responsible for the murder.

Tapan Majumder, Vice Chairman of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said Dipu Chandra Das was killed in front of a government industrial facility where he worked, but warned against portraying the incident as part of a generalised pattern of minority killings. Majumder said many Muslims and young people have also been killed in Bangladesh, yet there has been little international protest over those deaths, arguing that India has condemned Bangladesh on multiple fronts while using the issue to serve its own interests rather than Bangladesh’s.

Bangladesh has approved the import of 50,000 metric tons of white rice from Pakistan under a government-to-government deal as part of efforts to stabilise domestic prices, officials said on Tuesday.

The brother of Osman Hadi has demanded a full investigation into what he described as a conspiracy behind Hadi’s killing, warning that failure to deliver justice could have political consequences for those in power in Bangladesh.He alleged the killing was orchestrated to stall elections, asserted that Hadi never bowed before the state or any agency, and said his death had only strengthened his influence. Calling for the perpetrators to be brought to book, he said justice may be delayed but would ultimately prevail.

A suspected Bangladeshi national was detained by locals in West Bengla's Sribhumi after Bangladeshi currency was allegedly recovered from him, before he was handed over to the police. The man was identified as Kamrul Islam, a resident of Zakiganj, and was caught from the Kalimahabi Bari area of the town. The incident triggered heightened local reaction amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Police said it is still unclear from where in Bangladesh the man originated and which border he may have used to enter India, with investigations underway.

Civil society organisations and prominent individuals in Bangladesh have expressed serious concern over rising incidents of mob violence, issuing a joint statement condemning recent killings and attacks. A total of 46 individuals and civil society groups called for independent, time-bound investigations into attacks on media professionals, youth leaders, cultural centres and cases of mob violence, and demanded stringent punishment for those responsible for the killing of Deepu Das. The statement also urged the government to provide special security measures for minorities, initiate community-based trust-building programmes, and take responsibility for the welfare of Deepu Das’s family.

BNP Executive Chairman Tarique Rahman will contest the upcoming general elections and file his nomination from the Bogura-6 constituency, the party said on Tuesday. Bogura is Rahman’s home region where he was born and previously lived, and the seat has political significance for the family as former prime minister Khaleda Zia had earlier contested elections from the same constituency. Preparations are underway across Bangladesh ahead of Rahman’s arrival, with the BNP expecting a massive turnout in Dhaka, where party leaders claim more than three million supporters may gather.

A group of 7–8 youths claiming to be members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s metropolitan branch went to Global TV Bangladesh’s Tejgaon office on December 21, demanding the removal of Head of News Nazneen Munni and allegedly threatening to set the office on fire, citing the recent arson attack on Prothom Alo and Daily Star. In a Facebook post, Munni said the group warned the office would be burned if she did not resign, accusing her of links to the Awami League, a charge she and Global TV management denied.

The Democratic members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a post on X that Ranking Members Gregory Meeks and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, along with Chair Bill Huizenga, have written to Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, expressing concern over the total ban of a political party ahead of the country’s elections scheduled for February.

Bangladesh interim government’s finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has taken steps to ease strained relations with India, while the administration is focused on strengthening economic ties by separating trade decisions from political rhetoric. Emphasising that trade policy is driven by economics rather than politics, Ahmed said importing rice from India would make sense if it is cheaper than sourcing it from Vietnam or elsewhere, adding that he remains optimistic bilateral relations will not deteriorate further.