- By Ajeet Kumar
- Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:45 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladesh Protests Latest Updates: Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to hold general elections on February 12 and said "the nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights". Yunus made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, at around 7:30 pm (local time)
"The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights, which were stolen by the autocratic regime," Yunus said.
Election Will Be Held on Time, Chief Adviser Tells US Special Envoy
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 22, 2025
DHAKA, December 22: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12.
"The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which…
"The discussion, which lasted about half an hour, focused on trade and tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, the upcoming general election, the country's democratic transition, and the murder of young Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi," Yunus said in a post on X.
Sergio Gor, who is the US Ambassador-Designate to India, congratulated Yunus "for his leadership during recent tariff negotiations", the post said, adding that Bangladesh succeeded in reducing US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 per cent.
Want to hold free and fair elections: Yunus
"Chief Adviser noted that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence. However, he said the Interim Government was 'fully prepared' to deal with any challenges," the post said.
"We have roughly 50 days to go before the election. We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable," Yunus said.
Inqilab Moncho demands justice for Osman Hadi before national elections
Earlier on Monday, Inqilab Moncho demanded that the killers of its convenor Osman Hadi be brought to justice before the 13th national election and the referendum takes place in Bangladesh, according to a report in BDNews24.
The report said the group also demanded the formation of a "judicial tribunal" involving foreign intelligence agencies like the FBI and the Scotland Yard.
BD News further reported that the platform placed three demands which include the formation of a fast-track judicial tribunal to try the killing of Hadi, with the investigation involving international intelligence agencies, including the FBI and Scotland Yard, identification and prosecution of Awami collaborators allegedly hiding within civil and military intelligence structures and the home advisor, Chief Advisor's Special Assistant Khoda Baksh, and the law advisor to provide explanations and then resign from their posts.
Mass moment against Yunus govt planned
Inqilab Moncho on Monday warned of launching a mass movement to oust the current interim government of the country if justice is not delivered in the killing Hadi, Daily Star reported.
The warning was issued by Abdullah Al Jaber, the organisation's member secretary, during an emergency press conference at Shaheed Hadi Chattar earlier today.
24 hour ultimatum to Yunus govt
According to the Daily Star, the Inqilab Moncho had issued a 24-hour ultimatum following Hadi's final funeral prayers on Saturday, but alleged that the deadline had elapsed without any concrete steps taken by Bangladesh's Home Adviser or the relevant authorities to arrest those responsible for the killing.
No specific info about killer: Bangladesh Police
Bangladesh Police has said they have no "specific information" on the whereabouts of the prime suspect in the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
Addressing an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies are actively trying to locate Faisal Karim Masud, identified as the gunman in the shooting, the UNB news agency reported.
“We do not have specific information about Faisal's last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it,” he said, adding that there was no reliable information suggesting the suspect had left the country.
Visa services suspended in India
Bangladesh has suspended visa services in its high commission in New Delhi and its mission in Tripura amid mounting strain in ties between the two countries.
The decision to suspend the visa services was taken after groups of protesters held demonstrations outside the two missions, news agency PTI reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi put out a public notice mentioning the suspension of visa services in view of unavoidable circumstances.
(With inputs from agency)