Bangladesh unrest news live: BNP's Tarique Rahman, daughter register as voters ahead of polls

Unnao rape case survivor, her mother, and her advocate Mehmood Pracha reached CBI office. The CBI has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s order suspending the life sentence of the rape convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman on Saturday visited the Election Commission (EC) to register as voters for the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum scheduled for February 12 next year, Daily Star reported.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh after a 17-year exile, visited the Dhaka University campus on Saturday to pay his respects at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncho.

Youth leader Osman Hadi was shot dead earlier this month and was undergoing treatment in Singapore, where he was declared dead.

Meanwhile, the Inqilab Moncho is holding protests across the country seeking “justice” for Hadi and calling on Rahman to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the killing.

A mob attack in Bangladesh on Friday night left at least 20 students injured and forced the cancellation of a concert by rock icon James, officials and organisers said. The violence broke out in Faridpur amid growing concerns over attacks on cultural institutions nationwide. In recent weeks, prominent organisations including Chhayanaut and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi in Dhaka have reported vandalism. James’ performance was planned to mark the closing event of Faridpur Zilla School’s 185th anniversary.

Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, in an interview with ANI, claimed that Hindus in Bangladesh are being forced to leave the country. “Hindus are being targeted and attacked in Bangladesh. People are attempting to grab properties owned by Hindus, forcing them to leave the country… Bangladesh’s powerless government is unable to maintain law and order,” Ghosh said.

Amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Friday stated that the Indian government must ensure the safety of Hindus in the neighbouring country and resolve this problem through dialogue. "The government should resolve this problem through dialogue and protect its citizens... The Indian government should guarantee the safety of its citizens. The External Affairs Minister and Prime Minister Modi should immediately speak to the Bangladeshi government on this matter," he said.

The lynching of two Hindus in Bangladesh has sparked widespread political outrage in India, prompting protests in West Bengal and Assam. On Friday, thousands of saffron-clad pro-Hindu activists converged on the streets of Kolkata and outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, demanding an end to atrocities against minorities.

The rally was accompanied by West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who went inside the mission premises to speak with authorities on the issue.

12 people were arrested for protesting against the atrocities being committed in Bangladesh. They were produced before the Alipore Police Court.

The court granted them bail on a bond of Rs 3,000 each.

Advocate Chandan Kumar Saha told ANI, "The court has granted bail to them on a bond of Rs 3,000 each."

India on Thursday reaffirmed its support for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh, as political developments unfold in the neighbouring country following the return of BNP leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years and the ban on Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, the country's oldest and largest political party.

Addressing the issue at the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined New Delhi's broader approach towards Bangladesh, stressing the importance India attaches to its relationship with the Bangladeshi people.

"India wants close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, which are rooted in the liberation struggle and strengthened through various development and people-to-people initiatives," Jaiswal said.

Placing this in the context of Bangladesh's current political situation, he added, "We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere."

Popular Bangladeshi rock icon James' concert was cancelled in Faridpur (about 120km from Dhaka) amid a series of attacks on artists and cultural institutions in the Bangladesh.

The performance, scheduled for Friday night, had to be called off following clashes at the Faridpur Zila School campus during the institution's 185th anniversary celebrations. According to local media reports, a group of people tried to forcefully enter the venue after they were denied entry. The agitators reportedly hurled bricks and stones and even tried to take control of the stage. Read more

India on Friday said the "unremitting hostilities" against minorities in Bangladesh is a matter of "grave concern" as it demanded punishment to the perpetrators involved in the lynching of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh area last week.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India condemned the recent killing of Dipu Chandra Das and demanded action against those involved in the killing.

"The unremitting hostilities against the minorities in Bangladesh including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremists is a matter of grave concern." "We condemn the recent gruesome killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice," Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

"Over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities including cases of killings, arson and land grab have been documented by independent sources during the tenure of the interim government," Jaiswal said.