Bangladesh news LIVE: Tarique Rahman meets Khaleda Zia after homecoming

The Bangladesh interim government on Thursday said it has taken note of the spread of what it termed “misleading information” on social media and by certain news outlets regarding the tragic killing that took place on Wednesday night in the Pangsha Police Station area of Rajbari.

In a statement, the interim government claimed that, based on police information and preliminary investigations, the incident was not related to communal violence.

“According to police information and preliminary investigations, it is clearly evident that the incident is in no way related to communal violence. Rather, it arose from a violent situation stemming from extortion and criminal activities. The deceased, Amrit Mondal alias Samrat, was a listed top criminal who had entered the area with the intent of collecting extortion money. At one stage, he lost his life during a clash with agitated local residents,” the statement said.

The statement further alleged that Amrit Mondal alias Samrat was “accused” in several serious criminal cases.

(ANI)

Bangladesh news LIVE: Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students League, the student wing of the now-banned Bangladesh Awami League, said that there is a ‘Talibanisation’ happening in Bangladesh.

Speaking to ANI about the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, Hussain said that Interim Government leader Muhammad Yunus was encouraging anti-India sentiments.

“Whatever happened in Bangladesh, the current illegal government is trying to blame the Indian government. He (Muhammad Yunus) is chanting the anti-India rhetoric so that he can appease the fundamental, extremist groups, and cover up his domestic failure,” he said.

(via ANI)

Bangladesh news LIVE: As the world marked Christmas Day, Bangladesh revered in the return of BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman on Thursday. While the Bangladeshi Christian community marked the festival, thousands of people gathered across Dhaka to welcome Rahman in Bangladesh after his 17 year exile in London.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Hundreds of members of various Hindu organisations held a protest march in Bhubaneswar to condemn the violence, persecution, and human rights violations against the community in Bangladesh. The march, organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Bhubaneswar district, was joined by Bajrang Dal, Durga Bahini, Rashtriya Hindu Sangathan, and Hindu Ekta Manch.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman addressed his party supporters after arriving in Dhaka after 17 years. During the address, he urged the residents of Bangladesh to “build the country together”, PTI news agency reported.

“This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians,” Rahman said, urging people to build a “safe” Bangladesh.

“We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely,” Rahman told thousands of supporters gathered at the July 36 Expressway in Dhaka.

Bangladesh news LIVE: After receiving a rousing welcome in Dhaka from around 50 lakh supporters, Rahman addressed a rally at 300 Feet Road. During this rally, he called for the return of peace to Bangladesh and stated that as the leader of BNP, he has a plan.

Here’s a look at some of the top quotes from the BNP leader’s return to Dhaka –

“Agents of various dominant powers are still engaged in conspiracies. We must remain patient. We have to exercise caution,” Tarique was quoted as saying by the Daily Star. While he made no mention of any external forces at play, the BNP leader urged supporters not to respond to any form of provocation.

“The time has come for all of us to build the country together. This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely,” the BNP leader said, adding that Bangladeshis want to regain their right to speak and want their democratic rights back.

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Bangladesh news LIVE: As per bdnews24, Tarique Rahman met with his with his mother Khaleda Zia on Thursday after his rally in Dhaka. He spent 90 minutes inside the hospital, following which he departed his Gulshan residence.

Bangladesh news LIVE: BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman has reached Evercare Hospital on Thursdy. He will now meet his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Zia is undergoing treatment there since November 23.

Bangladesh news LIVE: A Hindu man was killed in Rajbari over extortion allegations, The Daily Star reported. The deceased, identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, reportedly had at least two cases filed against him with Pangsha Police Station, including a murder case.

A Hindu man was killed in Rajbari over extortion allegations, The Daily Star reported.

The deceased, identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police rushed to the spot and rescued Samrat in a critical condition. He was taken to the Pangsha Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday called on countrymen to join hands to maintain law and order.

“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.

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

Bangladesh news LIVE: After a rousing welcome for Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, the BNP acting chief is now on his way to Evercare Hospital to meet his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia,

Zia has been admitted to the hospital since Nov 23. As per bdnews24, the BNP leader will be visiting his mother after delivering a speech at a rally.

From Evercare, he is scheduled to go to House No. 196 in Gulshan. Adjacent to it is “Feroza”, the residence of Khaleda.

Bangladesh news LIVE: “Today, the people of Bangladesh want to regain their right to speak. They want to get back their democratic rights,” said Tarique Rahman as he addressed the people of Bangladesh after his return 17 years later.

“The time has come for all of us to build the country together. This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely,” he added further, as per the Daily Star

Bangladesh news LIVE: In his address to the gathering in Dhaka, the BNP actin chief repeatedly called for peace in his home country, stating that they wil work towards ensuring there is stability and peace in Bangladesh.

“Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh,” said Rahman.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Addressing the gathering at Dhaka after his return to Bangladesh after 17 years, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman invoked Martin Luther King Jr during his speech.

“We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. I have a plan, for the people of my country”, said Rahman, referring to Martin Luther’s ‘I have a dream’ speech

Bangladesh news LIVE: After the reception programme on the 300 Feet Road, Tarique Rahman is expected to visit his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara, where she is receiving treatment.

Ahead of his likely visit, large numbers of party leaders and activists have gathered outside the hospital, hoping to catch a glimpse of BNP acting chief.

Bangladesh news LIVE: After his Dhaka homecoming, BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman is addressing a rally in the capital.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have reached their residence in Gulshan after arriving in Dhaka from London, reported bdnews24.com

The BNP said on its verified Facebook page that the vehicle carrying Zubaida and Zaima reached House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue around 2:30pm on Thursday.

The residence stands next to “Feroza”, the Gulshan home of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Tarique Rahman moved to London in 2008 for medical treatment with permission after he was tortured while in custody during a military-backed government that ruled from 2006 to 2008.

After 17 years in the United Kingdom, the BNP acting chairman has returned to Dhaka, just in time for the national polls. Bangladesh is set to head to the polls on February 12, 2026, the first election since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government in August 2024.

A flight carrying Rahman, his wife and daughter arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, Dhaka, late Thursday morning among tight security measures.

Bangladesh news LIVE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s acting chief Tarique Rahman has returned to Dhaka after 17 years of exile. Following his return, the BNP leader is expected to address a rally shortly.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, surrounded by supporters of BNP, enroute to the reception venue in Purbachal upon his arrival in Bangladesh after living in exile in London for 17 years.

Heavy security is in place for Rahman’s homecoming as Bangladesh remains tense after recent violence over the death of a prominent student leader – Osman Hadi.

Bangladesh unrest LIVE updates: Student wing of Awami League alleged that Tarique Rahman’s homecoming is part of a “backdoor deal” aimed at facilitating a one-sided election amid rising political instability in the country, ANI reported. Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students’ League, said the return of the BNP leader would not help stabilise the situation in Bangladesh but would instead deepen political polarisation and strengthen what he termed “fascist politics”. “The return of the BNP’s acting chairman will not solve Bangladesh’s problems. Ultimately, it will facilitate a one-sided election and ensure the continuation of fascist politics. He is a convicted criminal in multiple cases linked to the 2004 attack and bypassed judicial processes. This is clearly a backdoor deal between the illegal government and the BNP-Jamaat alliance, which will once again push democracy out of the syllabus,” Hussain told ANI.

Bangladesh unrest LIVE updates: Tarique Rahman thanked Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for the interim government’s initiatives to ensure the security of him and his family members, The Daily Star reported. A video of him thanking Yunus over a phone call was also shared on Rahman’s Facebook page.

Bangladesh unrest LIVE updates: Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League will not be able to participate in the upcoming elections, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Shafikul Alam, news agency ANI reported. Awami League’s political activities are currently banned in the country. “Since the Awami League’s activities are banned and the Election Commission has deregistered the party, the Awami League will not be able to take part in this election,” the secretary was quoted as saying.

Bangladesh unrest LIVE updates: BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Thursday expressed concern over “anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents” in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to take more effective steps. In a series of posts on her official X handle, Mayawati said, “In recent days, the manner in which anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents are taking place in Bangladesh makes it necessary for the central government to act with greater alertness and take more effective steps in line with people’s expectations.”