United News of Bangladesh

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has released the full text of its verdict overturning a High Court ruling that had declared the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party illegal. The four-member Appellate Division bench, led by the then Chief Justice, delivered the judgment on June 1 last year. The full copy of the verdict was published on Monday. The Election Commission granted Jamaat registration as a political party in November 2008. In 2009, Syed Rezaul Haque Chandpuri and 25 others filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the registration. After a final hearing, a three-member bench of the High Court declared Jamaat’s registration illegal by majority opinion on August 1, 2013. The court also granted a certificate for appeal against the verdict, which was later converted into an appeal. Jamaat also filed a regular leave-to-appeal petition that year. Following the High Court verdict, Jamaat sought a stay order, but the then Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury, rejected the plea on August 5, 2013. Subsequently, on December 7, 2018, the Election Commission officially cancelled Jamaat’s registration through a gazette notification. On November 19, 2023, the Appellate Division dismissed Jamaat’s appeal and leave-to-appeal petitions against the High Court verdict after no lawyer appeared on behalf of the party. Jamaat filed separate petitions following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, seeking restoration of the appeal and leave-to-appeal by condoning delays. After hearing the matter, the Appellate Division restored the petitions. The appeal and leave-to-appeal were later included in the Appellate Division’s hearing schedule, and hearings began on December 3, 2024. Jamaat also filed an application regarding the allocation of its electoral symbol. The court subsequently tagged the application with the appeal and leave-to-appeal for hearing. After concluding hearings, the Appellate Division delivered its verdict on June 1 last year. During the previous Awami League government, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on August 1, 2024, banning Jamaat and its student wing – Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. Following the formation of an interim government on August 8, 2024 after the fall of the AL government, the ban on Jamaat and Shibir was withdrawn.

Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman on Monday underscored the importance of women’s empowerment, saying women can play a vital role in family welfare, healthcare and rural development. “If everyone contributes from their respective positions toward building the desired society, it would certainly be possible to achieve that goal,” she said while addressing the annual gathering and fair organised by Bangladesh Police Women Welfare Association (PUNAK) as the chief guest. Female workers face widespread discrimination: Jamaat women’s wing secretary She also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and development of girl children. “Every girl should be able to pursue the future she dreams of and the state system should support that path instead of creating obstacles,” she said.

A three-day national workshop at Holiday Inn, Dhaka, under the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative (CSESI) wss held to assess existing capacities and strengthen climate risk analysis for the education sector. To support evidence-based policy planning and build institutional readiness, the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME), with UNESCO, the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO-IIEP), Save the Children, and support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), launched the workshop. Running from 10 to 12 May 2026, the workshop brings together over 30 officials, technical experts and education planners from national and sub-national levels. Inaugurating the workshop, the Chief Guest, Mr. Abdul Khaleque, Secretary, Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education, said, “This workshop is particularly significant because it focuses on examining the capacities we already have within our system and identifying where further strengthening is needed Speaking at the event as the Guest of Honour, Dr. Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, said, “This workshop moves beyond identifying risks and focuses on understanding the existing capacities, systems, and institutional mechanisms required to address those risks effectively. Strengthening evidence-based planning, improving coordination and enhancing preparedness at both national and sub-national levels are essential to ensure learning continuity and protect the wellbeing and future of children and young people.” Special Guest Bodrun Nahar, Additional Secretary (Development), MoE also addressed the opening with special focus on climate data and climate financing for education. Participants represent SHED, DSHE, BANBEIS, NCTB, DPE, BMD, University of Dhaka, district and upazila Education officers among others. UNESCO-IIEP specialist Ms. Yi Shi is leading the technical facilitation alongside the UNESCO Dhaka Office and Save the Children International. Bangladesh remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in South Asia. According to the 2025 Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index, Bangladesh ranks 178th out of 187 countries, while national education data show that nearly 16,000 educational institutions were affected by climate-related disasters in 2023. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, floods, cyclones, and salinity intrusion continue to affect school attendance, infrastructure, and children’s learning outcomes. UNESCO-IIEP’s climate risk analysis also shows that while Bangladesh has strong policy foundations on climate resilience, climate adaptation is not yet systematically integrated across education planning, teacher development, risk assessments, and infrastructure planning. The workshop is part of a broader national process under the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative, which began in Bangladesh in 2024 with a joint scoping mission and country work planning process. In October 2025, Bangladesh held its first national workshop to identify and analyse climate hazards, vulnerabilities and risks facing the education sector. 

In the wake of several recent violent incidents in different districts, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday urged the government to ensure public safety before undertaking development initiatives. "No programme undertaken by the government, ignoring the security of the people, is likely to be successful. The security of the people must be ensured first and then steps must be taken for transparent development," he said in a facebook post. Referring to recent incidents, Shafiqur Rahman said four people were recently killed in Naogaon, three in Chattogram and five in Gazipur. He cited that three people suspected of cattle theft were beaten to death in Bagchala village under Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur early Sunday. Questioning the causes behind the incidents, the Jamaat chief asked whether these were merely signs of social disorder or outcome of public anger stemming from the lack of proper enforcement of laws. “No extrajudicial killing can be supported in any way,” he said. Shafiqur Rahman said establishing the rule of law in the country would remain impossible unless the Home Ministry, the Law Ministry and the judiciary become acceptable to the people. “At the root of everything is the government's goodwill. Only goodwill and appropriate initiatives can bring effective solutions to this social problem,” said the Jamaat chief.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday announced its first batch of 100 candidates for upcoming local government elections, covering upazila and municipalities across the country. The names were unveiled by NCP Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam at a press conference held at the party's temporary office at Banglamotor. Sarjis said over 1,000 applications had been submitted to the party for local government seats, from which the initial 100 were selected. "We will announce another 100 candidates in the second phase on May 20. This nomination process will continue.” He said candidates will be drawn not only from party ranks but also from other political parties, provided they meet certain criteria. “Applicants must be hardworking, acceptable to people, free from any history of oppression, having no direct involvement with the previous fascist government or crimes associated with it.” “We will do a thorough vetting process, and if anyone from another political party wishes to join, we will make every effort to give them the opportunity,” Sarjis said. He added that the candidate selection process has been designed to ensure broad social representation, with students, workers, women and members of the Hindu community all given the opportunity to contest under the NCP banner.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been working relentlessly since assuming office to implement the commitments made before the election in a bid to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. “In the past, promises were made to provide rice at Tk 10 per kg, jobs for every household and free fertiliser, but those turned out to be hollow, false and deceptive commitments. We have not seen a repetition of that in Tarique Rahman’s activities,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the 45th National Council Conference of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) at the IDEB conference room. He referred to the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, canal excavation programme and the waiving of agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 as examples of the present government’s execution of promises. “These were not empty commitments,” he said. The BNP leader said the Prime Minister has been travelling from one end of the country to the other and engaging with people in different areas to ensure implementation of every promise made to the public. “Just as he is visiting different regions, he is also speaking to everyone in Dhaka and continuously stressing the implementation of the pledges. Our government – the BNP government, Tarique Rahman’s government – has an elected Prime Minister who is working tirelessly to rebuild the nation and make Bangladesh self-reliant, just as his parents did,” he said. Rizvi said those working closely with the Prime Minister as well as the people of Bangladesh are witnessing his relentless efforts from morning till late at night. “The main objective of this tireless work is to bring smiles to people’s faces so that they are not deceived or deprived again. The Prime Minister is consulting intellectuals and professionals from different sectors, listening patiently to people’s concerns and trying to implement practical solutions,” he added. The BNP leader also praised diploma engineers for their contribution to national development, saying he is fully aware of their demands. “If your demands are justified, the Prime Minister will certainly take them into consideration and play an appropriate role,” he said. He urged engineers to continue their work with patriotism despite criticism or differing ideologies. The session was presided over by Engineer Md Kabir Hossain, convener of the interim central committee of IDEB, while Engineer Kazi Sakhawat Hossain, member secretary of the interim central committee, conducted the programme. IDEB councillors and diploma engineers from across the country attended the event.  

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday urged India to stop border killings, saying a stable and friendly relationship between the two neighbouring countries cannot be built on repeated bloodshed along the border. “Repeatedly turning the border bloody can never build a good relationship. So, the BJP must stop the bloodshed,” he said, adding that if India truly wants to establish a lasting and friendly relationship with Bangladesh, it must abandon the mentality of violence. Rizvi made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the 45th National Council Conference of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) at the IDEB conference room in the capital. Referring to India’s assembly elections, he said it is entirely an internal matter for the Indian people to decide whom they vote for and which party they elect to power. “The people there may elect anyone they choose. We have nothing to say about that,” he said. However, the BNP leader questioned why Bangladeshis continue to be shot dead at the border. “The question is why Bangladeshis are repeatedly being killed by gunfire. How long will this bloodshed at the border continue?” he said. He noted that despite repeated discussions and claims by many that Bangladesh and India share “excellent relations,” incidents of border killings continue to occur. “Even yesterday (Saturday), two people were shot dead at the border. What kind of relationship is this?” Rizvi said, referring to the Brahmanbaria incident where two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead by Indian Border Security Force. He said neither the people of Bangladesh nor the people of India want such incidents, adding that the citizens of both neighbouring countries want peaceful coexistence. “Our people will vote for whomever they want and decide their own destiny. The same applies to India. We want the people of India to live in peace and happiness, and we want the same for ourselves,” the BNP leader said. He added that Bangladesh seeks an honest and neighbourly relationship with India based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.  

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin on Sunday alleged that a “planned mob” was created at Eden Mohila College on Saturday night targeting their leaders, claiming that the situation was instigated by “gupto” (covert) activists of Islami Chhatri Sangstha” as part of an attempt to shut down student politics. He made the remarks in a post published on his verified Facebook page around 1:15am. The JCD leader came up with remarks after a section of students at Eden Mohila College staged demonstrations on Saturday night, demanding a complete ban on student politics on the campus. The unrest began around 11:00pm when a group of students broke the locks of the college's main gate to gather and demonstrate. The protesters marched through the campus, chanting slogans to end all forms of political influence within the institution. In the post, Nasir Uddin said participation in student politics, conducting political activities on campus and expressing political opinions are fundamental rights of students. However, he alleged that a particular group has been deliberately creating mobs at different educational institutions to obstruct student politics. The JCD leader further claimed that similar incidents had occurred in other campuses in the past, where what he described as “covert” Bangladeshi Islami Chhatra Shibir used their activists to create an environment against student politics. According to him, several individuals who had led such mobs later emerged as top leaders of Shibir. Referring to an incident at Govt Titumir College, Nasir Uddin alleged that a mob had broken the college gate late at night a few days ago and harassed female JCD leaders. He claimed that one of the persons involved in that incident was later identified as the secretary of the college unit of Shibir. Describing the current situation at Eden Mohila College, the JCD General Secretary alleged that covert activists of Chhatri Sangstha similarly instigated a mob there to harass women leaders of JCD and activists of other political organisations. He also claimed that female students were being forced out of halls. Nasir Uddin warned that if such “mob terrorism” and harassment of JCD female leaders are not stopped immediately, they will put up strong resistance. He also urged the college administration to ensure the political rights and safety of all students and called on authorities not to surrender to what he termed “conspiracies or deception.”    

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has alleged that the government voted in favour of “Yes” to come to power but is now acting inconsistently regarding reforms and constitutional commitments. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists during a view-exchange meeting at the Thakurgaon Manab Kalyan Parishad hall. Porwar said the government supports 84 reform proposals and the July Charter in parliament, but takes a contradictory stance on the issue of a referendum. “They say they will implement the July Charter but will not accept the referendum. The government has separated the July Charter and the referendum for its own interest,” he claimed. He further said that the Prime Minister, the Law Minister, and ruling party leaders have stated in parliament that they will implement the July Charter “word for word.” “This means they will accept even the notes of dissent included in the charter. But they never say they will implement the referendum verdict in the same way. This shows they acted irresponsibly by voting ‘Yes’ to come to power,” he added. Commenting on local government elections and democracy, Porwar said Jamaat-e-Islami will participate in local government polls. He said the party had earlier demanded that local elections be held before national elections, but the government did not agree for “specific reasons.” He also criticised the government for appointing administrators to city corporations immediately after coming to power. “This is a clear violation of democracy and the constitution. How can an elected government appoint selected party people to important local bodies like city corporations? It proves the government is not moving on the path of democracy,” he said. The meeting was chaired by District Jamaat Ameer Professor Belal Uddin Prodhan. Among others, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, former Sadar Upazila Vice Chairman and District Secretary Mohammad Alamgir, and District Imam Samity President Fazle Rabbi were present. After attending a Jamaat workers’ conference in Thakurgaon, Porwar later left for Panchagarh.    

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said Japan considers Bangladesh an important development partner and is interested in expanding bilateral cooperation in the days ahead. Speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning from a week-long visit to Japan, he said discussions were held with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency and several other organisations. According to him, the talks focused on investment, infrastructure development, educational exchange, skill development, disaster management and broader cooperation in Bangladesh’s development sector. He said both sides also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in implementing development projects. Cooperation in cancer treatment, rural development and climate change mitigation also came up during the discussions. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said he also inquired about those injured in the July movement who are currently receiving treatment in Thailand, urging the government to ensure proper treatment, rehabilitation and psychological support for them.