Bangladesh’s political turmoil deepened further on Monday as a Dhaka court sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in two corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in government land allocations. The verdict, delivered by Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court, marks another major legal setback for the former leader, who has been facing a barrage of cases since her removal from power in 2024. The cases revolve around the Rajuk New Town Project

A 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death in southeastern Bangladesh, marking the latest fatality in a continuing wave of violence targeting minority communities amid ongoing political unrest. The victim, identified as Samir Das, was attacked in the Daganbhuiyan area of Chittagong on the night of January 11, according to local reports. His death is the seventh reported killing of a Hindu individual since unrest intensified across the country in late December. The

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, marking a significant diplomatic gesture at a time of strained relations between the two neighbouring countries. The decision comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Bangladesh and a broader reassessment of regional alignments in South Asia following last year’s dramatic change of government in Dhaka. Kha

Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated sharply following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread protests and renewed anti-India sentiment across the country. A radical student outfit linked to Hadi, Inqilab Moncho, has issued a strong ultimatum to the interim Yunus administration, demanding sweeping action within strict deadlines, including the suspension of work permits issued to Indian nationals. The group announced its demands during a protest gathe

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh has triggered fresh speculation about a potential defence agreement that could significantly reshape regional security dynamics in South Asia. Over the past few months, several senior Pakistani military officials, including the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Navy chief, and ISI head Lt General Asim Malik, have made repeated visits to Dhaka. These developments come as Bangladesh’s interim leadership u

A massive protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi turned violent on Tuesday as members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu groups, including the Bajrang Dal, gathered to protest the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. Despite heavy security arrangements, demonstrators t

Sheikh Hasina has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of losing control of Bangladesh as the country faces growing unrest, rising extremism, and weakening ties with India. The former Prime Minister said that violence has become routine and that the current administration appears unable to stop attacks targeting civilians, minorities, and institutions. Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical student leader, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries. His dea

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, denounced the lynching of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten to death in Mymensingh after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The government said there is no place for violence in a New Bangladesh and assured that those responsible for the killing will face strict legal action. The attack took place on Thursday night in Dubalia Para, where residents allegedly confronted Dipu before fata

A prominent youth leader from Bangladesh, Sharif Osman Hadi, has died in Singapore after succumbing to severe injuries sustained during an assassination attempt in Dhaka earlier this month, officials confirmed on Thursday. His death has sent shockwaves through political circles in Bangladesh and has raised renewed concerns over political violence targeting emerging leaders. Sharif Osman Hadi served as the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancho, a youth-oriented political platform that has g

A small family-run restaurant in Jersey City has become a standout success story in the local dining scene, driven by determination, cultural pride, and an unlikely culinary journey. Korai Kitchen, the city’s first Bangladeshi restaurant, is operated by a mother-daughter duo whose path to national recognition began without formal training or professional kitchen experience. Chef and owner Nur-E Gulshan Rahman opened Korai Kitchen alongside her daughter, Nur-E Farhana, in February

Tension in Bangladesh has sharply escalated after India closed its visa centres in Rajshahi and Khulna, prompting violent protests and warnings of further unrest. Demonstrators clashed with security personnel near the Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi after attempting to march toward the compound. Protesters accused India of injustice and went so far as to threaten bloodshed, saying they would use swords or other weapons if necessary. The situation has alarmed authorities on both

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is moving forward with plans to seek Interpol’s assistance to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. The move comes shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced both leaders to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 unrest. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed that preparations are underway to request a fre

Bangladesh witnessed massive unrest on Monday as clashes broke out across Dhaka and several other regions following the International Crimes Tribunal’s death penalty verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ruling, linked to charges of incitement, killings and failure to prevent atrocities during the student-led uprising of 2024, triggered violent confrontations between Awami League supporters, rival groups, and security forces. Two people lost their lives as highways were b

Bangladesh has issued one of its most severe political judgments in history, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 2024 student protests. However, the ruling is complicated by the fact that Hasina is currently in India, where she has been living for over a year since fleeing Dhaka after her government collapsed. With the International Crimes Tribunal passing the harsh verdict in her absence, Bangladesh’s interim ad

Massive student and teacher protests erupted across Dhaka University and Jagannath University after the Yunus-led interim government scrapped the posts of music and physical education teachers in public schools. The move came after Islamist organisations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh denounced such subjects as “un-Islamic” and threatened street protests unless the government prioritized religious education. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had init

Bangladesh has officially withdrawn its earlier approval for fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik’s planned visit scheduled for November 28. The reversal came after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government reassessed potential risks, with security agencies warning that Naik’s presence could draw massive gatherings and create law and order challenges ahead of the country’s first general elections since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Naik, who faces terror-linked allegations in Ind

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

Thousands of Islamists across Bangladesh took to the streets demanding a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which they labeled an extremist Hindutva outfit. The rallies, organised after Friday prayers in Dhaka and Chattogram by hardline groups like Hefazat-e-Islam and Intifada Bangladesh, reflect a growing tide of anti-Hindu sentiment in the country. The protestors accused ISKCON of engaging in “subversive and extremist” activities, and called for it