Yunus says Bangladesh polls on schedule; Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman set to return Dec 25 | Top updates 

BANGLADESH

Fresh violence in Bangladesh following the killing of anti-India leader Sharif Osman Hadi has triggered allegations of targeted attacks, rising threats to journalists, and growing diplomatic strain with India.

A Bangladesh-born journalist based in the UK has claimed his family home was vandalised in what he describes as politically motivated intimidation, as protests and cross-border tensions continue to escalate ahead of elections.

• Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, during a call with US Special Envoy Sergio Gor, reaffirmed that general elections will be held on February 12, calling them essential for restoring democratic legitimacy.
• Yunus alleged that supporters of former PM Sheikh Hasina were attempting to destabilise the country and disrupt the polls, but said the administration was prepared to manage the situation.
• Meanwhile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile, fuelling speculation about his leadership role in the February elections.
• UK-based journalist Sushanta Das Gupta alleged that a mob vandalised and looted his family home in Bangladesh during recent unrest, forcing his relatives to flee shortly before the attack.
• Speaking to India Today, Das Gupta said the incident was intended to intimidate him over his criticism of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration and his social media commentary.
• “This was meant to frighten me into silence,” he said, adding that his outspoken reporting and online presence made him a target.
• His sister and niece escaped the house roughly 30 minutes before the mob arrived. Das Gupta said the timing could have been fatal had they remained inside. He claimed the attackers were linked to political groups backing the interim government, though no official response has been issued by Bangladeshi authorities so far.
• Das Gupta also alleged institutional pressure, claiming the government revoked the declaration of a newspaper he previously edited following reports critical of Yunus and investigations into alleged financial irregularities.
• Sharif Osman Hadi, a candidate in the upcoming elections, died on December 18 after being shot earlier this month. His death has sparked nationwide protests, with supporters demanding justice before polling day.
• Several violent incidents have been reported since Hadi’s death, including attacks on media offices, vandalism of historic sites in Dhaka, and stone-pelting at the Indian Assistant High Commissioner’s residence in Chattogram.
• Diplomatic tensions escalated as Bangladesh suspended visa services at its missions in New Delhi and Tripura, following protests outside diplomatic premises.
• India, citing security concerns, earlier suspended visa services in multiple Bangladeshi cities. New Delhi rejected claims of a security breach and accused sections of Bangladeshi media of spreading misleading narratives.