Students Against Discrimination, the platform that led last year's mass uprising, suspended the activities of all its committees countrywide, except the central one, amid extortion allegations against some of its leaders and activists. SAD President Rifat Rashid announced the decision at an emergency press conference outside the National Museum in Shahbagh on Sunday (Jul. 27). "Unfortunately, under the influence of political parties, some members engaged in corrupt practices, which have now become nearly impossible for us to control," Rifat said.

It came after Gulshan police arrested five individuals, including SAD leaders and activists, for extorting money from the family of former Awami League lawmaker Shammi Ahmed. According to police, the group had demanded Tk 50 lakh on July 17, identifying themselves as SAD members. As Shammi was not home at the time, they made the demand to her husband, who handed over Tk 10 lakh. When the group returned on Saturday to collect the remaining Tk 40 lakh, police arrested them from the Gulshan residence.

Academic activities at the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) resumed on Tuesday (Jul. 29) after a suspension of over five months, breaking the longstanding deadlock on the campus and bringing relief to students. It followed the university teachers' association agreeing to suspend their protest for three weeks, after a new vice chancellor, Prof. Maksud Helali, was appointed and he instructed the teachers to resume classes. The teachers had been boycotting academic duties since May 4, demanding justice over an assault on faculty members following a clash on the campus on February 18.

The clash in February, which erupted over a demand to ban student politics, left over a hundred injured. That night, students allegedly manhandled the then VC and some faculty members for allegedly siding with their attackers. On April 25, the Ministry of Education removed Prof. Muhammad Masud as VC. General Secretary of the teachers' association, Prof. Faruk Hossain, said they suspended their protest programme hoping that the administration will now act on their demands.

Law enforcement agencies are fearing a coordinated attempt to create unrest targeting the events to commemorate the first anniversary of last year's Uprising between July 29 and August 8, according to a confidential report by the Special Branch (SB) of police. The report, which has been circulated among police units nationwide, warned that 'fascist groups' may attempt to destabilise law and order through propaganda, incitement to violence, or attacks on government and private establishments both online and offline during this period.

It further said that these groups may launch assaults on rallies and programmes organised by 'anti-fascist' political and social organisations, activities which have been ongoing since July 1. In response, all police units have been instructed to conduct special drives throughout the 11-day period. The SB has also ordered intensified political surveillance, increased monitoring of suspicious individuals, and searches of vehicles including motorcycles and microbuses, while cyber patrols are to be strengthened, particularly on social media platforms.

After a six-year hiatus, the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) is set to hold elections on September 9, sparking excitement and political fervour across the campus. The 2019 election, itself held after around 30 years, was marred by controversies and irregularities. This year's election will cover 28 posts, including four new posts - Research and Publications Secretary, Career Development Secretary, Health and Environment Secretary, and Human Rights and Legal Affairs Secretary - that have been introduced in response to student demands.

The election schedule was announced on July 29 at the Senate Building. Nomination papers will be distributed from August 12 to 18, with scrutiny on August 20. The list of valid candidates will be published on August 21, and the deadline for withdrawing nominations is August 25. Voting will take place on September 9 from 8am to 3pm at six polling centres inside the university campus.