Bangladesh Protests Highlights | ‘I have a plan’: Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman references Martin Luther King Jr. in address after 17-year exile

Bangladeshi news websites are reporting Tarique Rahman is likely to go to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka directly from the airport to visit his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia. A bulletproof bus was seen waiting outside the airport for him. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were at the airport to greet him.

The Advisory Council in Bangladesh has approved the Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which will ensure uninterrupted internet and telecom services across the country under all circumstances, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government had placed top priority on updating the existing legislation and preventing any form of internet shutdown. He noted that the law had been revised to reflect current needs, with clear provisions stating that internet services in Bangladesh cannot be suspended even briefly in the future. Emphasising the importance of the change, Alam said the ordinance makes this commitment explicit.

Congress MP Imran Masood urges Government of India to take strict action over the "anti-India activities" in Bangladesh. "If this is not stopped, it will create significant problems in the coming days. We must speak firmly regarding the security of the Hindu people there."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "It's not entirely surprising that with this kind of volatile atmosphere across the border, in India also some groups have organised protests in return. In our democracy, they have a right to do so. I don't think anyone has felt that these protests are getting out of hand. There has been no violence, no lynching and certainly any attempted violence will and should be clamped down upon by our police. What we want to see is for the Bangladeshis to do the same thing."

"They must curb the violence. There's not enough for the government of Bangladesh to just express regrets or condemnation. They have to take action because controlling the violence on the streets is their obligation as a government. They need to curb this violence. They need to ensure that the streets are calm again, that people can feel safe again. How can you have an election in less than two months' time in an atmosphere of lawlessness and intimidation, where the voters may not even feel safe? We're urging the government to take matters into its hands. If the police can't do it, send the army, but stop this nonsense..."

Fresh tension gripped Howrah in West Bengal on Wednesday after clashes erupted between police personnel and BJP supporters during a demonstration protesting the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh.

The situation escalated when police halted a procession by the saffron party before it reached Howrah Bridge, leading to sharp exchanges between demonstrators and security forces. A senior Howrah Police official told news agency PTI that authorities would not allow protests to disrupt daily life or inconvenience commuters, adding that legal action would be taken to prevent any attempt to create unrest.

Inqilab Moncho has demanded a fast-track judicial process to deliver justice in the Sharif Osman Hadi assassination case within 30 working days, reported Dhaka Tribune. Inqilab Moncho member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said the organisation had set a clear deadline for action but had not yet received any concrete response from the authorities.

Urging mass participation, Jaber appealed to people across the country to preserve and highlight Hadi’s messages through wall posters, graffiti and other forms of public writing on December 24 and 25. He also encouraged supporters to amplify those messages globally using social media platforms.

Jaber said the group’s three-point demand remains unaddressed. “Those responsible for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi must be identified, arrested and prosecuted within the next 30 working days through a fast-track judicial tribunal, with assistance from professional and credible international intelligence agencies,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh on Tuesday urged the field administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure the upcoming general elections and referendum are conducted peacefully and without violence. Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker said any failure to hold a credible vote would amount to a "national failure".

“If this election fails, we all will fail — Bangladesh will fail,” he was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that "peaceful protesters" outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata were subjected to police excess. Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government in Bengal of brutality, Adhikari said: "...Mamata Police unleashed brutal lathis on these peaceful protesters outside the Bangladesh High Commission, all for raising their voice against the injustice against Hindus in Bangladesh. I can only feel their pain and discomfort after such unnecessary brutality. I have assured them of any possible help that they might require and pray for their quick recovery. Mamata Banerjee is on the path of 'Adharma', she will have to repent sooner or later."

Adhikari earlier said he would provide financial aid to the family of Dipu Chandra Das.

House Foreign Affairs Committee of the Dems, posts on X, "Ranking Members Gregory Meeks and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Chair Bill Huizenga, sent a letter to Dr Mohammed Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, expressing concern over the total ban of a political party ahead of elections in February." The House was referring to the ban on Sheikh Hasina's Awami League.

At the same time, the letter said that 2018 and 2024 (Sheikh Hasina's tenure), "General Elections were not free or fair".