Police fired tear gas shells and sound grenades on Friday evening to disperse activists of Inqilab Moncha after clashes erupted during a blockade programme at Shahbagh intersection, one of Dhaka’s busiest traffic hubs. The confrontation followed allegations by the protest group that law enforcement agencies had earlier obstructed and attacked demonstrators demanding justice for the killing of their leader, Sharif Osman bin Hadi. The unrest began around 5:15pm when leaders, activists and supporters of Inqilab Moncha brought out a procession from the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University and marched towards Shahbagh Mor. After reaching the intersection, protesters took position on the road and began a blockade, halting vehicular movement and triggering severe congestion across adjoining roads. Tensions escalated several hours later. Witnesses said that at about 7:30pm, protesters chased a group of police personnel from Shahbagh towards Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. Police subsequently launched a counter-operation, firing tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the crowd. Witnesses reported hearing around 20 sound grenades during the confrontation. Earlier in the afternoon, Inqilab Moncha had organised another procession demanding justice for what it described as the killing of “Shaheed” Sharif Osman Hadi. The march moved towards the Jamuna area, where the chief adviser’s official residence is located. The Inqilab Moncha alleged that police obstructed the rally and used tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons to disperse participants. Law enforcement officials did not immediately issue a detailed response to the allegation. Leaders claimed that several of its leaders and activists were injured during the clashes, including its Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber. The group also alleged that Dhaka University Central Students’ Union leader Jhuma and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union leader Shanta Akter were among those injured. Doctors at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital said a total of 76 people received medical treatment following the incident. Hospital sources confirmed that none of the injured sustained gunshot wounds. The protesters eventually withdrew the blockade later in the evening, restoring traffic movement in the area. The demonstration ended about an hour after Abdullah Al Jaber made an announcement via Facebook Live around 9pm, urging supporters to clear the intersection. Activists had been holding the Shahbagh blockade since late afternoon as part of their ongoing campaign demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. Earlier, police fired tear gas around 8pm, temporarily dispersing demonstrators, though protesters later regrouped before finally withdrawing. Following the withdrawal, Plabon Tariq, an organiser of July Oikya, accused authorities of ignoring their demands and using excessive force. “Hadi and others like him have been bloodied again today. Our demands were not unreasonable. The chief adviser should communicate with the United Nations seeking justice for Osman Hadi,” he said. He added that protesters had approached the State Guest House Jamuna “out of desperation”, claiming officials failed to engage with them. “We waited throughout the night, but not even a clerk came to speak to us,” he said. Plabon also rejected allegations that protesters had attempted to create disorder, stating that demonstrators staged a sit-in outside InterContinental Dhaka peacefully. “After Hadi, Jaber used to lead these gatherings. Yet we are being blamed for attempting to sabotage the election. Police attacked us unjustly and injured Jaber,” he alleged. He further said the organisation would continue its movement until justice was ensured for Hadi, despite holding meetings with administrative authorities. The blockade paralysed traffic movement at Shahbagh and surrounding roads, one of the capital’s most critical transport junctions linking Dhaka University, Ramna, Karwan Bazar and central administrative areas. Commuters were forced to take alternative routes as congestion spread to adjacent roads. Friday’s clashes highlight renewed tensions surrounding political and activist mobilisation in Dhaka ahead of the national election, with security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance over demonstrations in sensitive zones, particularly near key government installations. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any cases would be filed over the clashes. Meanwhile, protest organisers signalled plans to continue demonstrations, raising concerns over further disruptions in the coming days.  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has firmly ruled out forming a post-election national unity government with Jamaat-e-Islami, signalling that his party intends to govern independently if it secures victory in next week’s parliamentary polls. With the election less than a week away, Tarique’s remarks underscore a clear political red line for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, despite Jamaat’s recent overtures for a power-sharing arrangement aimed at stabilising the country after months of political upheaval. Although the BNP’s newly unveiled 59-point manifesto promises a “people-oriented and inclusive government” involving forces that participated in the democratic struggle, Tarique made it clear that this vision does not extend to a formal alliance with his party’s main electoral rival. “How can I form a government with my political opponents, and then who would be in the opposition?” Tarique said in an interview with Reuters at the BNP’s party office. He added that if Jamaat wins parliamentary seats, it should play the role of a “good opposition” rather than seek a place in government. Consistent party stance Tarique’s position echoes earlier comments by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who recently told an Indian news magazine that no agreement existed between the two parties and that Jamaat was not envisaged as part of a BNP-led national administration. The clarification comes amid intense speculation over post-election alignments, given the fragmented political landscape following the July Uprising, which toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ended more than 15 years of Awami League rule. Bangladesh has since been governed by an interim administration, formed after Hasina fled to neighbouring India in August 2024. Electoral context and historic ties The BNP and Jamaat governed together between 2001 and 2006, a period that continues to shape political debate. Jamaat, once banned from politics, has since re-emerged as a significant electoral force and has publicly expressed openness to renewing cooperation with BNP under a unity government framework. Jamaat leaders have argued that a broad-based administration is needed to restore stability, particularly after months of turmoil in 2024 that severely disrupted Bangladesh’s vital ready-made garments industry, the backbone of the economy. However, Tarique’s comments indicate that BNP believes it can secure a strong enough mandate to govern alone. Tarique, 60, returned to Bangladesh in December after nearly two decades in exile in London. His return followed the collapse of the Hasina government, led by his long-time political rival and adversary of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman premier. BNP confident of victory BNP aides told Reuters that the party is confident of winning more than two-thirds of the 300 parliamentary seats, contesting 292 constituencies directly, with allies fielding candidates in the remainder. While Tarique declined to offer a specific seat projection, he said: “We are confident that we’ll have enough to form a government.” Opinion polls have consistently forecast a BNP victory, though analysts expect stiff competition from a Jamaat-led alliance that includes a Gen Z political party born out of the youth-led anti-Hasina protests. Foreign policy: ‘No tilt to any one country’ On foreign relations, Tarique sought to project a pragmatic, non-aligned approach, amid strained ties with India and growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh. Relations with New Delhi deteriorated sharply after India granted shelter to Hasina, whom a Dhaka court last year sentenced to death over her role in the violent crackdown on protesters. The episode has created diplomatic friction while opening space for China to expand its economic and political footprint. Asked whether a BNP government would pivot away from India towards China, Tarique rejected the premise. “Bangladesh needs partners who can help grow the economy for our nearly 175 million people,” he said. “If we are in government, we need to create jobs for young people. We need to bring businesses into the country so people can have a better life,” he added. “So whoever, while protecting the interests and sovereignty of Bangladesh, offers what is suitable for my people and my country, we will have friendship with them — not with any particular country.” Position on Awami League figures Asked whether Hasina’s children and other Awami League figures currently abroad would be free to return and re-enter politics, Tarique struck a conciliatory note. “If someone is accepted by the people, if people welcome them, then anyone has the right to do politics,” he said. The Awami League has been barred from contesting the upcoming election, and many of its senior leaders and members of Hasina’s family left the country before or shortly after her fall. Rohingya refugees: ‘Welcome until safe to return’ On the Rohingya crisis, Tarique said a BNP government would continue to host the nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar, while pressing for their safe repatriation. Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated countries, has repeatedly warned that it lacks the resources to shoulder the burden alone and has called on the international community for greater support. “We will try to work on the issue so that these people can go back to their own land,” Tarique said. “The situation has to be safe for them to go back there. As long as it is not safe, they are very welcome to stay here.” Political signal ahead of polls Tarique’s rejection of a unity government with Jamaat marks one of the clearest signals yet of how a BNP-led administration would seek to govern — prioritising a single-party mandate, a defined opposition, and a reset of Bangladesh’s political institutions after years of polarisation and upheaval. As campaigning enters its final days, the statement is likely to shape both voter expectations and post-election negotiations in what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in the country’s recent history.

The European Union has identified security conditions, voter participation and a level playing field for all contenders as its core areas of focus as Bangladesh heads into a high-stakes national election. At the roundtable meeting Friday, chaired by Sylhet District Press Club president Moin Uddin and moderated by general secretary Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Ivars Ijabs said The European Union (EU) will focus on three key areas while observing Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. “We are here to strengthen our political, economic, social, and cultural ties with your beautiful country. In this context, our election observation mission is an important step, and we see this election as a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s history. The mission will pay special attention to security, voter participation, and a level playing field for candidates", he said. He said the EU sees this election as an important step in Bangladesh’s history. Ivars Ijabs also said, “Our mission follows an internationally recognized method, where our role is only to observe and not to take part in the political process. Because the election is very close, I will not comment on any party’s rule violations or other issues. We will submit our preliminary report in Dhaka on February 14, immediately after the election, and the full report will be presented two months later.” “The mission officially began one month ago, and our long-term observation team (LTO) has already been monitoring election preparations in Dhaka and other areas. Our observers are engaging with local stakeholders, including the election commission, government authorities, candidates, domestic observers, and various NGOs as key partners.”, he said. About additional observers from Europe, he said, “Our colleagues Bambi and Christian have been working here for a month, and tomorrow 90 more short-term observers from Europe will join. They will monitor campaigning and vote counting during the final days of the election. This is not only an EU mission; three important partner countries - Switzerland, Norway, and Canada - are also participating.” He said the observers will be spread across different constituencies, cities, and villages in the country. Highlighting the three main areas of focus, he said, “Our observation will focus on three key aspects: how safely and securely citizens can take part in the election, the inclusion of all citizens including women and minority groups, and ensuring equal opportunities for candidates.” Ivars Ijabs also said, “Our core team in Dhaka includes experts such as legal specialists, election analysts, and media analysts. They are monitoring both traditional and social media.” He emphasized that they are not intervening in the process or giving advice to anyone. He explained that organizing elections is primarily the responsibility of Bangladesh’s citizens, and there is no room for outside interference. The EU parliament member added, “We want to maintain a long-term relationship with Bangladesh. In today’s changing world, one of the EU’s priorities is to find democratic and reliable partners globally.” Speaking about trade, he said, “We want to expand trade relations with Bangladesh and invest in green energy and climate change initiatives. Democratic processes are very important in this partnership.”