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India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
Bangladesh grants anti-Hasina warriors tax relief like 1971 freedom fighters
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh on Monday categorised the wounded protesters who toppled the regime of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as 'July Warriors', and offered them a tax-free income of up to 5.25 lakh taka for two years. The tax relief brings them on par with the war-wounded freedom fighters of tax relief came in the first Budget presented by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday. This was the first Budget since Hasina was forced into exile in a massive uprising that reportedly saw the deaths of around 1,500 tax relief to the 'July Warriors' came even as the government was under attack from all sides over providing care to the protesters injured and maimed in the crackdown during the July-August protests of last year. The Dhaka Tribune's portal reported that a "new personal income tax category called 'July warriors' has been introduced by the government, offering tax relief on incomes up to Tk5,25,000 for two years beginning in the 2026–27 fiscal year".The report also said that the tax-free income limit for the 1971 war-wounded freedom fighters has been raised from 5 lakh taka to 5.25 lakh brings the July Warriors on par with the wounded freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War of February, the Yunus government officially recognised 1,401 individuals as 'July Warriors' for their role in the protests that forced the Awami League regime to step down in August 2024, reported the Dhaka 405 CRORE ALLOCATED FOR JULY PROTEST VICTIMS' FAMILIESadvertisementAn amount of Tk 405.20 crore was also allocated in the budget for the rehabilitation and welfare of the families of those martyred and injured in the July his budget speech, Bangladesh's finance adviser also announced that a policy will soon be introduced to provide financial allowances to the families of those killed or injured in the July this, the Yunus government has set up a "July Mass Uprising Directorate to preserve the movement's legacy and oversee medical treatment and rehabilitation efforts for the wounded and their families", reported the Dhaka-based Business InMust Watch
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina charged with crimes against humanity
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been charged in the country's International Crimes Tribunal with crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the protests against her government in July and August, the Dhaka Tribune reported on Sunday. Hasina has been charged with having instigated mass killings during protests against her Awami League government. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, who filed the charges before the tribunal, said that the violence against the protestors at the time was a 'coordinated, widespread and systematic attack', Al-Jazeera reported. 'The accused unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising,' the prosecutor said. On February 12, a United Nations report on the violence said that the Hasina government, the country's security and intelligence services and 'violent elements' associated with the Awami League party 'systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations' during the agitation in July and August. Of the 1,400 killed and thousands injured between July 1 and August 15, the vast majority were shot by Bangladesh's security forces, the report said. Of these, 12% to 13% killed were children. Hasina was ousted from power and fled to India on August 5 amid widespread student-led protests against her Awami League government. She had been the prime minister of Bangladesh for 16 years. Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus took over as the head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8. Since then, a total of 51 cases have been filed against Hasina, including 42 for murder. Two warrants for her arrest have also been issued. On May 10, Bangladesh banned all activities of the Awami League, including its online platforms, under the country's anti-terrorism act. Hasina has denied the allegations against her and claimed that she is being politically persecuted. In December, the interim government said that it had sent a note verbale, or an unsigned diplomatic communique, to India formally seeking Hasina's extradition. India confirmed receiving the note verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
China Sends Largest-Ever Business Delegation To Bangladesh To Deepen Strategic Ties
Last Updated: China pitches trade and connectivity as part of a broader strategic effort to expand influence in Bangladesh amid shifting regional alignments. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a two-day visit, leading a large delegation of over 100 Chinese companies to explore trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tribune said in a report. Wang is scheduled to attend the Bangladesh-China Conference on Investment and Trade on Sunday alongside Bangladeshi Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who will inaugurate the event. The Chinese minister will be present as a special guest. According to Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, this is the largest-ever Chinese business delegation to visit Bangladesh. Around 250 delegates representing various sectors and chambers of commerce are attending the conference, which has been jointly organised by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida). The conference aims to deepen what both sides call a 'Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership," with a focus on increasing Chinese investments in Bangladeshi infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics. However, Prof Yunus, who is hosting the event, sparked a diplomatic stir recently after suggesting that Bangladesh could allow China access to India's northeastern states through its territory. The comment was widely criticised in India and triggered concerns over Dhaka's alignment with Beijing's regional ambitions. Despite the controversy, Dhaka has insisted that its trade ties with Beijing are focused on economic development and infrastructure building, and not at the expense of its neighbours. India, which shares deep economic and historical ties with Bangladesh, has invested heavily in connectivity and energy projects in the country. Wang's visit also comes at a time when Bangladesh's foreign policy appears to be recalibrating following Sheikh Hasina's ouster. In recent months, Dhaka has taken visible steps to revive ties with Pakistan. This includes diplomatic outreach, softened rhetoric on past conflicts and increased engagement through multilateral forums where Pakistan and China often align. Wang's visit comes just weeks after a Chinese delegation participated in a similar investment summit in Dhaka, underscoring Beijing's growing interest in anchoring its economic presence in South Asia. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bangladesh elections to be held by June 2026? Yunus set deadline amid pressure from ‘impatient politicians'
As pressure mounts on Bangladesh's interim government to conduct fresh elections, Muhammad Yunus has set a deadline. During his visit to Japan, the interim chief announced that the next national elections will be held between December this year and June 2026. Yunus' remarks come at the same time the Bangladesh Nationalist Party held a massive rally in Dhaka calling for a "restoration of political rights of youth" While addressing a public gathering in Tokyo, the Bangladeshi leader acknowledged the call for elections and stated that they could be held as early as December 2025. 'When elections take place an elected government takes over responsibility, and we hand it over to them. People are insisting to tell them when the elections will be because the politicians are very impatient to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for some time. It could be in December this year or at the latest June of 2026, so six months gap, depending on how fast we can do the reforms,' Yunus was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. "If the reforms are slow and accomplish little then we have a longer time. And the longer time cannot continue endlessly. Must finish it up by June 2026," he added. In the background of Yunus' visit to Japan, BNP held a rally and called for an early election in Bangladesh. Adding pressure on the interim government, the political party stated that the date for the next elections is yet to be announced. "Excuses are already being made regarding the national elections. Even after 10 months, the interim government has not announced the election date,' said Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP in a video message. Rahman added that in the past, elections have been held within three months of a caretaker government. However, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, Yunus-led government is yet to decide on elections. "The national election must be held by December. Preparations must begin immediately," Rahman added further as he joined the rally through a virtual platform from London.
India.com
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Tanks on Dhaka streets, mass arrests of..: Bangladesh Army ramps up security amid ongoing political turmoil due to...; will Muhammad Yunus step down?
(File/Representational) Bangladesh Unrest: The Bangladesh Army has ramped up security arrangements in a bid to maintain law and order in wake of the ongoing political crisis plaguing the country. According to Bangladesh media reports, the army has rolled in tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) into Dhaka, while more than 10,000 people have been arrested since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime in August last year, including 2,188 arrests in last month. Tanks, APCs roll into Dhaka As per a report by the Dhaka Tribune, soldiers are patrolling the streets in several regions of Bangladesh, including the country's capital Dhaka, in tanks, APCs, and armored jeeps, to maintain order amid a deepening political crisis across the South Asian country. In a statement on April 17, Colonel Shafikul Islam, a staff colonel at the Directorate of Military Operations, Army Headquarters in Bangladesh, stated that 2,457 people had been arrested in the country during the past two months. Colonel Islam said the arrested accused were allegedly involved in various crimes, and were nabbed in a joint operation by the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Police, and other law enforcement agencies. 2000 arrested in last 30 days According to media reports, over 2,000 people were arrested between mid-April to mid-May in Army-Police joint operation. In a statement, Bangladesh Army's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the armed forces have arrested 258 people in a week-long operation from May 15-21. Last year, the Sheikh Hasina government deployed the Bangladesh Army on the streets after anti-Hasina protests escalated in late July. However, even after Hasina's ouster, the army has maintained its presence in civilian areas as political unrest brews in the country leading to sporadic clashes and protests. Muhammad Yunus to step down? Meanwhile, several reports claim that Bangladesh's Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus may step down in wake of the political turmoil, However, in a statement on Saturday, the Advisory Council quashed these rumors, asserting that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, will not resign, nor is he leaving the country. 'The interim government will listen to the statements of political parties in this regard and clarify the government's position,' the Council said following an unscheduled meeting where three primary responsibilities–elections, reforms, and justice–assigned to the interim government, were discussed, according to the statement. An Interim Government came to the helm in Dhaka in August last year after deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country and seek asylum in India following mass protests against her Awami League regime. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the Chief Adviser of the interim regime, which would oversee the country's affairs until a democratically-elected government was formed.
