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A late afternoon with Meherun Runi and eternal regret
Following the regime change in 2024, it was widely anticipated that the entire nation would witness a just investigation and trial regarding the highly publicized Sagar-Runi murder.
Tough challenges await new government
With the conclusion of the thirteenth national parliamentary election on 12 February, Bangladesh is about to enter a significant and complex phase in its political journey. This election is not merely about a transfer of power or the formation of a new government; rather, it is taking place against the backdrop of prolonged political polarization, mounting economic pressure, and growing international diplomatic concerns. As a result, while public expectations of the incoming government will be immense, the challenges awaiting it will be equally formidable and structural in nature—according to political analysts.
A Response to Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s Views on Women’s Political Role
The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami, Mr. Shafiqur Rahman, has categorically declared that no woman can ever occupy the party’s highest leadership position. In an extended interview with Al Jazeera, he justified this stance by appealing to what he termed “God-given biological differences” (interview with Al Jazeera, 29 January 2026). Yet such a claim, delivered with finality, raises serious theological, hermeneutical, and ethical concerns within the Islamic tradition. Before addressing Mr. Rahman’s assertion directly, it is necessary to return to the Qur’anic hermeneutics that underlie debates on women’s political leadership in Islam.
Jamaat-BNP focus on minority, AL–aligned, young voters
With the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaching, major political parties are now concentrating on three key voter blocs: minorities, Awami League–aligned voters, and young voters. Since the Awami League is not participating in this election, the political alignment of its support base has become a subject of fresh calculation. Issues such as the security and confidence of minority communities, attracting Awami League supporters to their own camps, and addressing employment and future prospects for young voters are shaping the strategies of the participating parties. Political analysts believe these voter groups could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election.
What will happen on polling day amid ongoing violence?
The political environment in the country has already become tense ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum. Since election campaigns began across different regions, clashes, violence, attacks, and vandalism involving leaders and activists of various political parties have been reported. These incidents have created fear and anxiety among the general public, raising a pressing question: what will happen on election day?
13th National Elections: Young voters to act as trump card
From the streets to the virtual world, the pages of history—1947, 1952, 1971, 1990—echo with the triumph of youth. In the July mass uprising too, young people played the most prominent role everywhere. After a long wait of seventeen months, the 13th National Parliamentary Election is finally set to take place. For the first time since the 2008 election, there is widespread enthusiasm among young voters. Major political parties are once again recalculating their strategies with youth voters in mind. Youth has become the trump card; whoever wins the youth, wins Parliament—it has come to that.
The political significance of this referendum
The referendum scheduled to be held on 12 February, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has sparked extensive discussion and analysis across the country’s political arena as well as in international circles. In the current political context, the importance of this referendum is multidimensional. According to political analysts, the decision by a major political force to boycott the process has turned the referendum into more than a routine vote, transforming it into a profound and multifaceted test for Bangladesh’s politics.
How much will rumours influence this election
The much-discussed 13th national parliamentary election is set to be held on February 12. As the election draws closer, political tension and violence are rising, accompanied by a rapid spread of rumours and disinformation. Alongside street politics, the virtual world has turned into a battlefield of an “information war”. Fake news on social media, AI-generated deepfake videos and fabricated photo cards have created a dangerous reality that can influence voter decisions. This raises a critical question: how much impact can rumours have on the upcoming election
AI–Nuclear interface: A new frontier of existential risk
The world is entering an era where the pinnacle of human innovation could be the instrument of its own extinction. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize everyday life, its growing integration into nuclear decision-making systems is igniting a race that is as lethal as it is unpredictable. Today, a critical question has emerged: should the decision to deploy weapons capable of annihilating civilization ever be shaped, even indirectly, by algorithms?
BNP leads in ground campaigns, Jamaat dominates online outreach
As the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches, campaign activities by all participating political parties have reached a peak. Various parties have already intensified their field-level campaigns and organizational activities across the country.