Page 12 - Bangladesh

Yunus acted without consulting parties: Ex-Indian envoy on Bangladesh polls

The former envoy said the neighbouring country must have early elections and that the Bangladesh Army has yet to react to the announcement

People 'disappointed' with announcement of B'desh polls in April 2026: BNP

People are "disappointed" by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's announcement to hold elections in April 2026, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said on Saturday, asserting that April is not the "right time" to conduct polls. The party reiterated its demand for polls by December this year. "April is not the right time for polls in Bangladesh in any way, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told journalists. His statement came a day after Yunus, during a televised address to the nation on the eve of the Eid-ul-Adha festival, announced that national elections would be held in the first half of April next year. Yunus' announcement was followed by an urgent virtual meeting of the standing committee of former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP, presided over by the party's acting chairman and Zia's son Tarique Rahman from London. In a statement, the BNP said Yunus' address meant an unwarranted delay in arranging the election, adding that it ignored the nation's aspirations, caus

Bangladesh elections set for April 2026; Yunus rules out early polls

Yunus confirms Bangladesh elections for April 2026, dismissing BNP's call for early polls amid political unrest, reform delays, and growing tensions with India since Hasina's exile in 2024

Delhi Police deports 71 foreign nationals from Dwarka for illegal stay

The Delhi Police deported 71 foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis, Rohingyas from Myanmar, and Nigerians, who were found staying illegally in the country, an official said on Friday. In May alone, 71 such individuals -- 47 from Bangladesh, 17 Rohingyas from Myanmar and seven from Nigeria -- were apprehended by various police units of Dwarka and sent to a detention centre after being produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Different units and police stations, including Uttam Nagar and Chhawla, launched coordinated operations to identify foreign nationals illegally residing in the area. The police said the crackdown was initiated based on a tip-off regarding people overstaying in India without valid visas or having entered the country illegally. These persons were found residing or roaming in different areas of Dwarka district. The largest number of deportations, 38, was made by the Special Staff, followed by 24 by the Uttam Nagar police station. Th

Bangladesh unrest cuts India's medical tourism revenue by up to 35%

India sees sharp fall in Bangladeshi medical tourists in FY25 as regime change and visa curbs hurt Apollo and Manipal revenues; recovery expected only by FY26

India saw over 32 million disaster displacements in a decade: IDMC report

Natural disasters displaced 32.3 million people in India between 2015 and 2024, with floods and storms accounting for the bulk of the movement, according to the IDMC's latest report

Bangladesh drops Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 'Father of the Nation' title

Bangladesh's interim government removes Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's title and name from key legislation, currency, and textbooks, signalling major revisionism in national narrative

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh makes political comeback: Decoding its history

Bangladesh's top court has reinstated Jamaat-e-Islami, ending a long-standing ban and clearing the way for its participation in elections

Bangladesh drops Sheikh Mujib from currency, adds temples, landmarks

Bangladesh unveils new currency notes without Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image, featuring Hindu and Buddhist temples, landmarks, and artwork instead, amid major political and leadership changes

Highlights: Ceasefire possible if Ukraine withdraws from annexed areas: Russia

Highlights: Catch all the news developments from around the world here

Anti-independence forces stage mock trial against Hasina: Awami League

Formal charges were filed on Sunday against then Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity committed during the student-led uprising in July-August 2024

B'desh tribunal begins Sheikh Hasina's trial, proceedings aired live on TV

Incidentally, the trial is being conducted in Sheikh Hasina's absence and the Bangladesh state-owned broadcaster Bangladeshi TV (BTV) will air the proceedings live

Sheikh Hasina charged with 'crimes against humanity' during 2024 protests

Sheikh Hasina has been identified as the 'key instigator' behind the mass killings that took place across Bangladesh in July and August last year

Assam approves arms licences for indigenous people near Bangladesh border

Assam approves arms licences for indigenous people in vulnerable border areas near Bangladesh. CM clarifies the policy won't apply to inter-state borders. Opposition raises safety concerns

India looks to revive '71 war airbase as China builds near 'chicken's neck'

The renewed interest in Kailashahar airfield comes amid growing unease in New Delhi over the potential strategic implications of the Chinese-backed upgrade of Lalmonirhat airbase in Bangladesh

Yunus vows to uphold minority rights in B'desh during constitutional reform

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday said any constitutional amendments would uphold religious freedom and minority rights, asserting that minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population. The head of the interim government made the comments during a meeting with US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Stephen Schneck here, according to a post on his official social media handle. "We are striving hard to build religious harmony in the country," Yunus said. On being asked about the activities of the reform commissions and the proposed constitutional changes after last year's uprising that ousted former premier Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime, Yunus said that "any constitutional amendments would uphold religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh". "The consensus-building commission is holding dialogue with political parties over the proposed amendments. Minorities will continue to enjoy the same rig

'No buying of foreign wife': China warns of marriage scams in Bangladesh

Chinese Embassy in Dhaka warns citizens against illegal matchmaking, romance scams, and cross-border marriages; cites trafficking laws and prolonged legal proceedings in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has '2 chicken necks', far more vulnerable, says Himanta Sarma

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlights two narrow corridors in Bangladesh, calling them more vulnerable than India's Siliguri corridor amid row over strategic access in the Northeast

Pursue trade deals, but focus equally on enhancing industry competitiveness

India retaliated against some ill-considered statements and actions by the Bangladesh government by closing its land borders for import of some goods from that country

Yunus to stay on as interim govt head, says Bangladesh's planning adviser

Muhammad Yunus remains interim leader of Bangladesh amid political unrest, military pressure, and reform deadlock, as parties demand elections and tension rises between cabinet and armed forces