Masum Billah

Until recently, Bangladesh’s elite and foreign diplomats avoided the Jamaat leader and his party. Not any more.

A spate of recent attacks has amplified fears among the country’s religious minorities ahead of the February 12 vote.

The party that ruled Bangladesh with an iron fist won’t be on the ballot in February, and its future is uncertain.

For first time in its chequered history, the party has a real chance of grabbing power as the leader of ruling alliance.

Rahman’s return will bolster the BNP, and could stabilise Bangladesh politics amid chaos and violence, say experts.

They have had the right to vote for some time, but no system was established to allow them to take part in elections.

Young Bangladeshis are using the same weapons that helped them uproot Sheikh Hasina to hold today’s rulers accountable.

Only three of more than 150 persons who went missing during Sheikh Hasina’s long rule have been reunited with families.

Risking bullets, they stepped out of their homes to save their livelihoods. They ended up saving lives too.