The decision not to recruit music and phys ed teachers comes in for harsh criticism. For a choir director, it “is like removing a part of our humanity.” Human Rights Forum Bangladesh urges politicians to resist “unreasonable demands." Youth protests at the capital's university. Student told AsiaNews that “an entire generation” is “at risk of cultural impoverishment.”
The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on a five-day pastoral visit to the country. In Narayanganj, he shared a meal with 600 displaced Christians. One of them said: ‘He testified that we can turn to God despite the difficulties.’ Meetings with the Rohingya community in Cox's Bazar, street children and leaders of other religions are planned.
A group of Christian community leaders met with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - widely favoured with the exclusion of the Awami League - calling for inclusive and fair lists. Secretary Alamgir reassures them about a ‘non-sectarian’ country and reforms to protect minorities. Civil society calls for reserved seats for indigenous communities and gender parity. The European Union pledges €4 million for a transparent democratic process.
The national pass rate has fallen to 58.83%, the lowest in 21 years. Over half a million students failed, while 77,000 fewer than last year achieved the highest marks (GPA-5). Scholars and educators are questioning the reasons for the crisis. Catholic schools are spared, although they too have recorded a (minimal) decline in results.
Last night, a serious act of intimidation struck the largest Catholic parish in Bangladesh, in the Tejgaon neighbourhood. No casualties or injuries have been reported, but there is great concern about the gesture and the message it conveys. Parish priest Fr Joyonto Sylvester Gomes: ‘Our church had never been targeted before’ . The Bangladesh Christian Association: ‘The government must identify those responsible and address the situation’.
More than fifty people are showing symptoms consistent with the disease, which is transmitted from livestock to humans. For the first time, cases have also been reported in the Rangpur region. The government has launched mass vaccinations and awareness campaigns, but experts warn that surveillance structures remain fragile and the risk of new infections is high.
