THE decision to cancel the studentship of a gender minority student of a private university raises concern about the exclusionary academic environment and the integrity of the administration. More than a hundred citizens in a statement on August 16 expressed concern and termed the expulsion of Sahara Chowdhury, a transwoman in the Metropolitan University...
THE national consensus commission on August 16 sent the final draft of the July national charter 2025 to political parties, with a prologue that says that the document has been 鈥榰nanimously鈥� worked out after a series of dialogues that the commission held with more than 30 political parties and alliances between March 20 and July 31. But what remains problematic...
THE interim government鈥檚 efforts to keep the kitchen market stable have not been successful, as prices of essentials continue to rise. The prices of almost all essential food items, including onions, eggs, broiler chickens and vegetables, remained high on August 15 in the capital鈥檚 kitchen markets. Broiler chickens are sold at Tk 170-180 per kilogram at retail markets, which was...
IT IS disappointing that the government has made no progress in implementing the recommendations that the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission made to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission and free it from political and bureaucratic influences. The Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, formed by the interim government, submitted its report to the chief adviser on...
THE death of three workers at an abandoned building in Netrakona is yet another reminder that the government needs to take urgent steps to protect labour rights in the informal sector. The deceased were involved in the demolition work of the Agricultural Development Corporation鈥檚 irrigation office. They died as the roof fell on them. As it has always been the case, the...
EARLY signs of an impending flood have been around the corner, with 35,000 people having already been stranded in three northern districts. Heavy rain and India鈥檚 opening of all gates of the Gazaldoba barrage are said to have worsened the situation, leaving areas freshly inundated. Official accounts say that about 25,000 families in 35 villages in Lalmonirhat stay marooned...
TEACHERS of colleges and secondary schools under the monthly pay order scheme once again pushing for their demands for a salary increase and the introduction of a general transfer system highlights the delay in government response to a crisis that has persisted for far too long. The teachers on August 13 gave the government an ultimatum until September 13 to meet...
DELHI鈥橲 border ploys, which have been evident in the murder of Bangladeshis at the hand of India鈥檚 Border Security Force that have continued apace for years, appear to be taking an added dimension. Whilst a series of events of erecting barbed-wire and electric fences along the frontiers began with the direct involvement of Indian border guards in the final days of December...
THE ecological loss at the Sadapathar stone quarry in Sylhet is a case of a complete enforcement failure of all authorities. The largest stone quarry at Bholaganj, a wide, shallow section of the River Dholai with white stones, has been one of Sylhet鈥檚 most visited tourist spot for decades. But it now stands ruined, marked with muck and pits and the characteristic white stones...
AN ALLEGEDLY unequal application of the rule for the disbursement of state benefits to the families of the martyrs of the July uprising, which toppled the Awami League regime on August 5, 2024, is worrying as the proposition has sparked off disputes, created resentment and intensified insecurity in the families. Whilst some widows have received the full one-time grant...
THIS is disappointing that investigating agencies have failed for more than 13 years to submit the report on the murders of the journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi. Although the government has repeatedly promised an early...
GROWING incidents of death in mob violence weave a disturbing pattern that warrants an effective government intervention. Whilst Ain O Salisk Kendra data, prepared from national daily newspapers, say that at least 207 people died in mob violence...
THE interim government鈥檚 continued failure in restoring law and order is expressed in the fear of people living in Gazipur. In the first week of August, at least three people were murdered in the district, including the brutal murder of a journalist on August 7. Police recorded at least 104 murder incidents in the industrial district in January-July. In January-June, the Police...
THE proposition to ban student politics in universities is ahistorical and not only disregards the glorious contributions of student politics in the country鈥檚 history but also seeks to rob students of their democratic voice. While such a proposition has long been put forward by a section of people, the controversy surrounding student politics appears to have resurfaced...
THIS is concerning and a disservice to the spirit of the July uprising that a section of police personnel is still involved in criminal and corrupt activities. The involvement of police personnel in crimes such as extortion, bribery, intimidation and framing innocent people in false cases has continued to make the headlines every other day. The agency is also reported to have taken...