The ostensible reason for the recent protests was Indian PM Narendra Modi’s latest visit. The real reason was to signal that Hefajat-e-Islam (HI) under its new leadership was not the same party as it was under its former chief Shah Ahmad Shafi and his immediate followers and to announce that HI was ready to emerge as a new political force under the guise of protecting the majority faith.

Although there is plenty of video footage and photos showing that the recent countrywide mayhem was unleashed by Hefajat-e-Islam, only a handful of people from the Islamist organisation have been accused in the cases over the violence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her call to the countrymen to wear facemasks alongside maintaining the health guidelines and she also asked the authorities concerned to take prompt measures to check fresh surges in the Covid-19 infection rate.

What could be a more momentous event for Indo-Bangla relations than the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh whose birth is historically related to India?

Three people got killed during Hefajat’s hartal yesterday, also the third day of the Islamist organisation’s demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit.

The government yesterday warned that anyone involved in the mayhem across the country would not be spared.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, known as the night of fortune, will be observed across the country tonight with due religious fervour and devotion.

As the positivity rate jumped to 17.69 percent against 22,136 tests in 24 hours ending at 8:00am yesterday, there is no alternative to enforce transmission control activities immediately, experts have said.

Dreaming of taking this part of the world at the highest echelon in the global stage, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty plans to pass on his wealth of knowledge to young musicians of Bangladesh and India.

People have been experiencing unusually long loading time and other difficulties accessing Facebook and Messenger due to restrictions allegedly the authorities have placed after the death of five people in Friday’s violence during demonstrations against Indian Premier Narendra Modi’s visit.

The number of new Covid-19 cases has increased by 85 percent while the deaths have increased by 42.5 percent in the last seven days compared to the previous week.

Myanmar security forces killed 114 people, including some children, in a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters yesterday, the bloodiest day of violence since last month’s military coup, news reports and witnesses said.

Hefajat-e-Islam held demonstrations for a second day yesterday, with the group turning violent in several districts.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have renewed their commitments to solidify relations between the two countries and establish peace and stability in the entire South Asia region.

West Bengal goes to assembly polls today to determine whether the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress will score a hat-trick or if the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party’s lotus will blossom in Bengal.

Bangladesh recorded 3,737 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest daily count since early July last year, a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services said yesterday.

World leaders, including the UN secretary-general and the US president, have congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the golden jubilee of the country’s independence.

A deadly crash on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway left at least 17 people dead, 11 of whom were burnt to death after one of the vehicles caught fire.

The nation yesterday celebrated the 51st Independence Day with a call for building “Sonar Bangla” as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian premier Narendra Modi sharing the stage during the celebrations of the country’s golden jubilee of independence yesterday, Bangladesh expressed profound gratitude to India for its support in the Liberation War.