Bangladesh's elections to be held in first half of April 2026, says de facto PM Yunus
Bangladesh's national elections will be held in the first half of April 2026, the country's de facto prime minister, Muhammad Yunus, said on Friday.
Clashes between security forces and Hindu protesters in Bangladesh led to at least one death after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges. India urged the protection of minorities, emphasizing the need for communal harmony in the region.
At least one person has died in Bangladesh during clashes between security forces and Hindus protesting the arrest of a religious leader, police reported, as neighbouring India called for the protection of Hindus and minorities.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu leader linked to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested at Dhaka airport on Monday on multiple charges, including sedition. His arrest led to protests by his followers in both Dhaka, the capital, and the city of Chittagong.
A Muslim lawyer was killed during protests outside a Chittagong court, according to police.
A probe into the alleged killing has been ordered, the caretaker government said in a statement, with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus instructing law enforcement to increase security in the port city.
"The interim government is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost," the government stated. Das, facing sedition charges filed in October after leading a large rally in Chittagong, was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag and was denied bail by a Chittagong court on Tuesday.
RAMPAGE
As Das was being escorted back to prison from court, over 2,000 of his supporters surrounded the police van, delaying it for more than two hours, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz said. "They went on a rampage, throwing bricks at us. To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables was hurt," Aziz explained.
India criticised Das's arrest, issuing a strongly worded statement noting that those responsible for documented vandalism and arson against minorities and for desecrating deities have not been apprehended.
Hindu-majority India shares close cultural and business ties with Bangladesh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has expressed concern over recent attacks on Hindus. "It is unfortunate that, while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings," India’s foreign ministry said.
In response, Bangladesh's foreign ministry emphasised that the government does not interfere with judicial processes, stating that the matter is being handled by the courts.
"The Government of Bangladesh is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country," the ministry added.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Israel’s military says it has identified the body of top Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar beneath a hospital in southern Gaza.
Six people on board a small plane were killed Sunday afternoon when the aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean shortly after taking off from San Diego International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Italian efforts to ease citizenship laws and tighten labor protections failed on Monday after low voter turnout rendered the referendums invalid, marking a political win for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and a blow to the centre-left opposition.
Canada will reach NATO’s 2% defense spending target this fiscal year—years ahead of schedule—Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday, pledging billions in new military investments amid rising global security concerns.
South African authorities have confirmed the deaths of a pilot and two passengers after a light aircraft crashed on Sunday in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
The UK government is exploring new online safety measures that could impose time limits and curfews on children's use of social media apps, in response to growing concerns about digital addiction and harmful content.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment