The Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, has announced a nationwide public outreach programme following its recent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Founder Abhijit Deepke announced the initiative, titled “Kya Bolti Public,” on Thursday in his hometown of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He said the programme was intended to understand people’s problems.

CJP had begun its Jantar Mantar protest in June and July this year, demanding the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET question-paper leak. The protest ended after Pradhan resigned on July 25. Deepke outlined the party’s future strategy alongside spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Deepke said education would be a priority in the campaign, citing rising fees at schools, colleges and coaching centres. He also raised concerns about declining public trust in institutions and questioned accountability in the Election Commission and judiciary. Ranka said the party stood with students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s JPSC and JSSC examinations, and that a delegation would visit Ranchi to meet them.

State Minister for Social Welfare Barrister Farzana Sharmin said anti-fascist forces are attempting to make the July mass uprising controversial. She made the remarks on Thursday in Dhaka while speaking as chief guest at the opening of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Debating Society’s Inter-Hall Debate Competition 2026.

Sharmin said the uprising was the outcome of a collective effort by pro-democracy political parties, students and the public, and that no individual could claim sole credit. She said competition over credit was harming the uprising’s momentum. She also said fascism had been removed but its roots had not been fully uprooted, and called for respect for the government elected by public vote.

Debate for Democracy chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said democracy’s strength lies in accepting others’ views to reach correct decisions. He described the July uprising as an expression of accumulated grievances and a symbol of unity, warning that divisions could allow hostile forces to re-emerge. University vice chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Latif and other officials also addressed the event.

A lower court concerned with the high-profile Tanu murder case in Cumilla has suspended bail for accused former army member Hafizur and ordered him to surrender within 24 hours. The order was issued on Thursday by Appellate Division chamber judge Md Rezaul Haque after an application from the state side, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kajol confirmed.

Kajol said law enforcement agencies would be instructed to arrest Hafizur if he does not surrender within the stipulated 24 hours under the chamber court’s order. The chamber judge has set next Sunday for a further hearing on the application.

The PBI arrested Hafizur রহমান in Keraniganj, Dhaka, on the night of April 22 this year, 10 years after Tanu’s killing. On August 2, a High Court bench granted him six months’ interim bail and issued a rule asking why permanent bail should not be granted. He was released from Cumilla jail on August 4. Sohagi Jahan Tanu’s body was recovered from the Cumilla cantonment area on March 20, 2016.

Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddique said speculation or announcements about Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh are harming innocent Awami League leaders and activists. He made the remarks on Thursday in Kishoreganj after visiting the grave of Aminul Islam Tarek, president of the district Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Siddique said unplanned announcements of this kind are creating legal and political complications for party workers. Referring to rumours that Hasina may return in December, he said many Awami League activists were being jailed and facing legal difficulties rather than being encouraged. He said a planned announcement could have motivated the party’s leaders and workers.

On Dr Muhammad Yunus, Siddique said that even a trial would be insufficient for the damage he alleged Yunus had caused to the country. He described BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s respect for Yunus at a July Day event as part of political culture. Siddique also said the current government was running the country better than during Professor Yunus’s time despite national and international crises. He called Jamaat-e-Islami an unfortunate party and criticised its historical positions.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission said it found evidence against Shakib Al Hasan in a case alleging Tk256 crore was embezzled and laundered through stock market manipulation and fraud. At a briefing at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on August 6, deputy director Aktarul Islam said the investigation had been completed and charge sheets against Shakib and 14 others would be submitted to court soon.

The case was filed on June 17, 2025, by ACC assistant director Sazzad Hossain. The other accused include Cooperative Department deputy registrar Abul Khayer, his wife Kazi Sadia Hasan, Abul Kalam Madbar, Konika Afroze, Mohammad Bashar, Sazed Madbar, Aleya Begum, Kazi Fuad Hasan, Kazi Farid Hasan, Javed A. Matin, Jahed Kamal, Humayun Kabir and Tanvir Nizam.

The report, citing sources, said the ACC is also investigating several other allegations against Shakib. These include alleged illegal gambling business, gold smuggling, embezzlement of businesspeople’s money and concealment of asset information submitted to the Election Commission. It also said the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit froze his bank accounts over allegations of financial irregularities and market manipulation.

Iran and Oman have reached a framework understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to information provided to Al Arabiya English and reported on August 6. An announcement could come within days, but the proposed arrangement between Tehran and Muscat still requires approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The proposed Hormuz agreement would last 60 days and aims to resume maritime traffic, break the deadlock and begin technical discussions, the source said. Under the understanding, ships entering the strait would use routes closer to Iran, while vessels leaving the strait would travel through routes closer to Oman. Regional parties may participate in procedural mine-clearance activities.

The source also said indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, conducted through mediators, have reached a final stage. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently held two phone calls with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and may visit Islamabad this weekend or early next week. Pakistani officials are expected to brief Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the latest developments. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Munir are scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed said India must decide the direction of Bangladesh-India relations. She made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Thursday evening in response to comments made by Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister and death-sentenced accused Sheikh Hasina at a news conference in Delhi on August 5.

Obayed said she believed that the people and governments of both countries want Bangladesh-India relations to improve. However, she said concern would arise among Bangladeshis if people and leaders of the Awami League whom she described as authoritarian, fascist and convicted continue what she called conspiratorial activities from Indian soil, and if the Indian government does not stop them.

She said relations between the two countries are multidimensional and that various issues should be resolved through discussion. According to Obayed, India now has to decide whether it will allow what she described as authoritarian, fascist and convicted individuals to make statements.

The High Court has suspended the upcoming biennial election of the Bangladesh Film Producers-Distributors Association for two months. The vote had been scheduled for August 8. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order on August 6, directing that all election-related activities remain suspended until a pending case before the FBCCI Arbitration Tribunal is resolved.

Film producer and actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Ujjal filed writ petition No. 10856/2026 challenging the decision to hold the election while case No. 08/2026 remained pending before the tribunal. The writ also challenged the inaction of the relevant authorities. Senior advocates Md. Badruddoza and Md. Moniruzzaman Asad, along with advocate Md. Khairul Alam, represented the petitioner.

Following the hearing, the bench issued a rule nisi asking respondents to explain why their inaction should not be declared without lawful authority and ineffective. There had been disputes over the candidacies of Khorshed Alam Khosru and Shamsul Alam. Panel member Tanvir Hasan expressed disappointment. The association made no formal comment and said next legal steps would be determined after receiving the full order.

Jagpa vice-president and spokesperson Rashed Pradhan alleged that the Awami League was directly responsible and India indirectly responsible for what he described as killings in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday as chief guest after a Jagpa protest rally from Bijoynagar to the Press Club, held against India’s alleged dominance and its reported two-year sheltering of “killer Hasina” with state honours.

Pradhan said the Indian government had used the Awami League to turn Bangladesh into a tributary state and now wanted to use the BNP after the Awami League’s defeat following the July uprising. He alleged that the Awami League and India were responsible for incidents at Pilkhana, Shapla Chattar, the anti-Modi movement and July. He also said Bangladeshi politicians feared speaking against Indian dominance because of hopes for power.

He accused India of border killings, illegal push-ins, withholding Bangladesh’s fair share of water from 54 shared rivers, and interfering in domestic politics and national elections. Pradhan also alleged a plot to destabilise Bangladesh through the Awami League from Delhi. Several Jagpa leaders addressed the event.

Students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, continued protests on August 6 over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with their movement entering its 13th day after beginning on July 25. They demand cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission civil service examination, a CBI probe into the alleged question-paper leak and examination scandal, and broad reforms to examination procedures. They also seek a fixed deadline for a re-examination within six months if the test is cancelled.

JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum spokesperson Jiban Kumar said five people, including two women, had joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and increase pressure for their demands. Six protesters are continuing an indefinite fast. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahato has fasted since August 2, and concerns have been raised over his falling blood sugar and blood pressure.

The BJP said it would raise the issue in the assembly, while Congress, an ally of the JMM-led government, expressed support for the students. Student leaders warned of an assembly gherao on August 10 if demands are unmet. Ranchi authorities imposed Section 144 within a 750-metre radius of the assembly from August 6 to 12. CID investigators have arrested 19 people and questioned former JPSC chairman L. Khiyangte.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for electing the country’s 23rd president after the 22nd president, Md Shahabuddin, resigned on July 24. Voting is scheduled for August 20. The deadline for submitting nominations is August 13, scrutiny will take place on August 16, and the final date for withdrawing candidacy is August 18.

Under Article 50 of the constitution, a president serves for five years from the date of assuming office, and no person may hold the office more than twice. The Election Commission arranges a presidential election when the office becomes vacant because of the end of a term, resignation or impeachment. A vacancy may also arise because of physical illness, mental reasons or serious misconduct.

The president is elected by votes of members of parliament under the current constitutional framework. Candidates must be at least 35 years old and eligible to be elected as members of parliament. The chief election commissioner conducts the election after consulting the speaker. If there is only one candidate, no vote is required. If parliament is not in session, a notification will be issued to convene it at least seven days before voting.

Indigenous rights activists called for Bangladesh’s constitution to replace the terms “tribal” and “ethnic group” in Article 23A with “indigenous.” The demand was made on August 6 at a seminar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, jointly organized by the Association for Land Reform and Development, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum and 17 national rights-based organizations. The seminar, titled “Indigenous Peoples: Life, Land Rights and Respect for Culture,” was chaired by ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda.

In a keynote paper, human rights activist Ilira Dewan recommended immediately activating the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission, creating a separate land commission for indigenous people in the plains, and establishing a national directorate for indigenous rights under the Prime Minister’s Office. She also urged rules protecting indigenous life and culture before tourism expansion, priority hiring of indigenous women health workers, and full implementation of the peace accord.

Speakers sought constitutional recognition, legal recognition of customary land ownership, a parliamentary indigenous affairs caucus, and indigenous representation in development projects. They said the land commission has received more than 27,000 applications under the 1997 peace accord, but meetings have not been held because of opposition from interested groups.

Sunamganj-2 lawmaker Nasir Chowdhury said the Awami League is not an enemy but an ally, stating that they had fought together. He made the remarks on Wednesday as chief guest at a “July Remembrance Rally” in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj. Chowdhury described the event as the BNP’s main rally.

He said those seeking to hold a separate rally in the BNP’s name on August 8 were attempting to create division within the party, and urged people to remain alert. Responding to what he called propaganda against him, Chowdhury said people unable to use the party’s name for theft and corruption were spreading false claims about him.

Addressing allegations of embezzling large sums, he said those making such claims should be asked how much budget had actually been allocated. He suggested obtaining information from the upazila executive officer if necessary. Upazila BNP convener Amir Hossain chaired the event, while municipal BNP joint convener Faruk Sardar moderated it. Leaders from the BNP and its affiliated organizations also spoke at the rally.

Sarjis Alam, northern chief organiser of the National Citizen Party, responded to Liberation War Affairs State Minister Ishraq Hossain by listing measures he said the interim government took for July martyrs and injured fighters. On August 6, at a reception and discussion event at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Ishraq asked the NCP what it had done for the July martyrs.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Sarjis said the interim government had carried out several notable actions despite more than 2,000 movements in one and a half years and without unconditional backing from any political party. His infographic said the measures taken over 18 months and nine days included the announcement of a death verdict for Sheikh Hasina, converting Ganabhaban into a July Memorial Museum, and drafting the July Charter.

The list also included building July martyrs’ memorials in every district, preparing lists of martyrs and injured people, and providing one-time payments and monthly honorariums. Sarjis cited treatment arrangements for more than 20,000 injured people, arrests of 36 former ministers and 43 MPs of the banned Awami League, and strict action against alleged bank looters including the president, Sobhan and S Alam. He asked what new steps Ishraq and his ministry had taken in about six months.

Oman has begun accepting visa applications to recruit agricultural workers from Bangladesh under an approved labour recruitment programme. The announcement was made by the Al Dhahirah branch of the Oman Agricultural Association, according to a Thursday report by Oman Daily Observer. Omani farmers are now permitted to apply for visas to hire Bangladeshi agricultural workers.

The recruitment process is being run on the basis of approvals issued by Oman’s Ministry of Labour and the Royal Oman Police. Registered farm owners will be able to obtain visas for Bangladeshi workers. Farmers seeking to hire them can submit applications at the association’s Al Murtafa office from August 9 to August 20. Applications containing any discrepancies will not be accepted.

Applicants must provide proof of annual fee payment, an agricultural holding certificate, a national identity card, a valid approval letter from the Ministry of Labour and other documents. An owner of a government service centre, Sanad, said approval has been granted to recruit 5,000 Bangladeshi workers in total. The facility is limited to registered agricultural association members, and each association may recruit no more than 330 workers.