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BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile. Rahman, who was greeted by millions of party supporters in Dhaka, declared, 'I have a plan for my country,' signalling a major political shift ahead of the 2026 elections.
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00:00I'll see you next time.
00:30Hello and welcome, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.
00:50I am Pranayupadhyay and tonight we bring you the prayers, lights, hope and joy that comes along Christmas and ahead of New Year.
00:57We will get you all that, but first, let's watch the top stories.
01:02Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khalid Azia's political heir, Tariq Rahman, today landed in Dhaka after 17 years in exile, accompanied by his wife and daughter.
01:12His return sets the stage for the high-stake electoral battle, with the BNP set to play a key role in next year's poll.
01:18As the Awami League is unlikely to contest the elections because of the ban, positioning Rahman as the front-runner contender in the February 12, 2026 elections.
01:29I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country.
01:41A major political shift in Bangladesh.
01:45Tariq Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khalid Azia, returning to Dhaka after 17 years of exile in London.
01:52Upon arrival, he removed his shoes and reverently touched the soil of his homeland.
02:02The BNP leader and political heir of Khalid Azia's party was greeted by a sea of supporters.
02:17He held a massive roadshow.
02:18Tariq Rahman then spoke with interim government advisor, Mohamed Yunus.
02:34In his first address, Rahman recalled Bangladesh's liberation in 1971 and the mass protests of 2024.
02:41He condemned the murder of Osman Hadi, calling him a brave leader, and promised that a new, young generation will lead the country.
02:49The BNP leader of Osman Hadi.
03:20Born in 1967, the son of former Presidents Yao Rehman and Khalid Azia,
03:25Tariq Rehman is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
03:30He started his political career at 23 and led BNP in the 1991 elections.
03:35He fled Bangladesh in 2008 alleging persecution and was convicted in absentia on charges of corruption.
03:43Tariq's return was once considered impossible, but anti-India sentiment, a change in government, and pardons have paved his way back.
03:54With thousands on the streets, tensions over attacks on Hindus and Hadi's murder,
03:58and not to mention elections looming in February, all eyes are on Tariq Rehman.
04:03With Ashutosh Mishra in Dhaka, your report, India Today.
04:07In the last 18 months, India's eastern neighbor, Bangladesh, has witnessed major political upheaval
04:16and violent and turbulent phase of Bangladesh.
04:21Will Tariq Rehman be able to change the fate of Bangladesh?
04:24To discuss this issue, I am being joined by senior journalist Masood Karim from Dhaka.
04:30Welcome to the show.
04:31And Mr. Karim, my first question to you.
04:33Today, BNP leader Tariq Rehman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years,
04:37and he delivered a speech in which he said that he has come with a plan.
04:41However, at the same time, Bangladesh is witnessing deeply disturbing developments.
04:45You must have seen the reports of a bomb blast in Dhaka that claimed a life
04:49and another incident of mob lynching of a Hindu man today.
04:53How do you see the current trajectory of unrest in Bangladesh?
04:56And will Mr. Tariq Rehman be able to change and implement the plan?
05:03Thank you very much.
05:06Tariq Rehman's return is a major event in Bangladesh's political landscape.
05:14You have seen that how many people, nearly millions, people has gathered to welcome him
05:24because of his party, BNP, has the long experience of running the country.
05:31In 1991 and 2001, her mother, Khalidazia, was prime minister.
05:37Before that, his father, Reverend Gio Rahman, also ruled the country.
05:43So, even, you just mentioned that from the youngest time period, Tariq Rehman started the politics.
05:54And even during he was in exile, he has direct contact with his political committees, BNP committees,
06:04through internet and other ways.
06:06So, Tariq Rehman is a very, very, I will say, the mature politician right now.
06:15And what you have said, the political destabilization in the country,
06:23the stability is the key for Bangladesh's development.
06:26Absolutely, Mr. Kareem, that remains a key issue.
06:29And as a close neighbor of Bangladesh, that remains a concern for India as well.
06:34But we have witnessed a new wave of attack on Hindu minorities.
06:37And even with the public assurances of unity, today even Tariq Rehman emphasized
06:41that the country belongs to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians alike.
06:45Why isn't the interim government taking stronger measures
06:47to safeguard minority communities and especially Hindus?
06:50And how do you think Mr. Rehman will be able to deliver the unity he is promising?
06:54I will say that Tariq Rehman is the only option right now to stabilize the country,
07:03to protect all the citizens, including Hindus and other minorities.
07:07Because you have seen the recent development, the torching on the two major newspaper offices
07:17in Bangladesh and other cultural, Udiji, Shilpikosti, Pionot, everywhere.
07:26So that what he said, he actually reminded the people of Bangladesh,
07:32said that you have listened and you have known the Martin Luther King,
07:38the peacemaker of the United States of America,
07:42who was the follower of Mother Teresa.
07:44So, in Bangladesh, he said, in line with the Martin Luther King dialogue,
07:52which was the, I have a dream,
07:56where in Tariq Rehman said, I have a plan for the people of Bangladesh,
08:01for the country like Bangladesh.
08:04Absolutely, Mr. Kareem, this all sounds very good.
08:07But amid uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections and the ban on Avami League,
08:11how fair do you believe that the polls will be?
08:14And would any such process where the Avami League, which still enjoys some kind of support in Bangladesh,
08:21will be seen and acceptable by the people of Bangladesh?
08:25You know, the current circumstance is very different.
08:28Current circumstance, actually, it has come in 2024,
08:33for uprising led by student and participating in all other parties.
08:40And they have, after this uprising,
08:45if you, right now the Avami League is facing the temporary ban,
08:50it is not, the party is not banned, you know,
08:53the party is not banned,
08:54but activities are banned
08:56and the registration from the election commission has postponed.
09:02It means Avami League is lower,
09:04most of the leaders are in exile,
09:07in the country,
09:10the who have the supporters,
09:11they are also...
09:12Mr. Masood, finally,
09:13I would like to ask you about the initiatives of stabilizing the India-Bangladesh relation.
09:17Because we are seeing the current protests,
09:20the political instability in Bangladesh,
09:21and this is actually disturbing the India-Bangladesh relationship.
09:25Should we expect that the new elected government will bring back India-Bangladesh ties?
09:29Because we have a history of, you know,
09:31India-Bangladesh ties during the Khalidazia regime and her government.
09:37You know, the India-Bangladesh relation,
09:40it is a neighboring country.
09:42Absent Downs is a common phenomenon,
09:45what we have seen in the past.
09:48This time is not very good, I think.
09:51But during the Khalidazia time,
09:54during the Jio-Rahman time,
09:56the India-Bangladesh relation was good.
09:59And so I think if the Taliban became the prime minister of Bangladesh,
10:05the India-Bangladesh relation will be improved.
10:09So I hope this cooperation...
10:12You see, in India, Bangladesh's foreign policy
10:15when was in BNP, in power,
10:17and even the right now,
10:19the BNP leaders,
10:20all BNP leaders are saying that
10:22the friendship to all,
10:24at least to none,
10:26and they also always promise that
10:29the Indian,
10:29if they are in Indian concern of security...
10:32Absolutely, Mr. Kareem,
10:33India and Bangladesh are not only joined by destiny,
10:36they are also joined by the longest border.
10:39And therefore,
10:40the good and, you know,
10:42cordial bilateral relations
10:43are very important for India and Bangladesh.
10:44Thank you for sharing your thoughts
10:46and giving us time.
10:47Thank you very much.
10:48Thank you so much.
10:52And moving on,
10:53let's talk about another conflict.
10:55Ukraine's war with Russia saw renewed fighting
10:57and sharp rhetoric over Christmas.
11:00As President Volodymyr Zelensky
11:01unveiled a new peace plan,
11:03Moscow reported battlefield gains
11:05and both sides exchanged strong statements.
11:08While the Kremlin reviewed,
11:09U.S. delivered proposal to end the conflict.
11:11As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
11:18unveiled a draft 20-point peace plan
11:20for ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia,
11:25Russia said its armed forces gained control
11:27over a settlement in Zaprosiya region
11:30in southeastern Ukraine.
11:33While Ukraine said on the same day
11:35that its armed forces attacked
11:37multiple Russian strategic infrastructure.
11:39The Russian Ministry of Defense said
11:43Ukrainian military industrial enterprises,
11:46energy facilities,
11:47transportation infrastructure
11:49and temporary deployment points
11:51of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries
11:53across 147 locations have been struck.
11:57In his Christmas address,
11:59Zelensky said Ukraine needs peace
12:01as citizens were marking Christmas
12:04in difficult circumstances.
12:05On the eve before Christmas,
12:11the Russians once again showed
12:12who they really are.
12:13Massive shelling,
12:14hundreds of Shahid drones,
12:16ballistic missiles,
12:17Kinzel missiles,
12:18everything was used.
12:19This is how godless people strike.
12:21This is what those who have nothing in common
12:23with Christianity
12:24or with anything human do.
12:26But we are holding on.
12:27We support one another.
12:29And today we pray for everyone
12:30on the front line to return alive,
12:32for everyone in captivity to come home.
12:34Kremlin, meanwhile,
12:41is analyzing the documents
12:43on ending the war in Ukraine,
12:45which were brought to Moscow
12:46by a special envoy,
12:48Kirill Dimitrov,
12:50from the United States.
12:51Regarding the peace plan,
12:56we are analyzing
12:57what Dimitrov conveyed to Putin.
12:59We are analyzing this material.
13:01And then, depending on the decisions
13:02made by the head of the state,
13:04we will continue our communication
13:05with the Americans.
13:06The Kremlin responded
13:13to Ukrainian President's
13:14Christmas wish
13:15for President Putin.
13:19Today we all share one dream
13:22and we make one wish together.
13:24May Vladimir Putin perish.
13:26Each of us may think privately.
13:28But when we turn to God,
13:29of course,
13:29we ask for more.
13:31We ask for peace for Ukraine.
13:32We fight for it
13:33and we pray for it.
13:38We saw the report
13:41about Zelenskyy's
13:42truly strange Christmas address yesterday.
13:44It was uncivilized and embittered.
13:46He seems like an inadequate person.
13:49One wonders if he is capable
13:50of making adequate decisions
13:52towards a political
13:53and diplomatic settlement.
13:54The comment also comes
14:00after a Russian general
14:01was killed by a car bomb.
14:03The Russian investigators suspect
14:04Ukrainian special services
14:06could have been behind the attack.
14:08The car was being driven
14:09by Lieutenant General
14:10Fanil Sarvarov,
14:13head of the Russian general staff's
14:15Army operational training directorate.
14:18Earlier,
14:18the Russian defense ministry
14:19released video of what is said
14:21to show airstrikes
14:23and troop movement
14:24in Rodnysk, Donetsk, Ukraine.
14:28With Mahashweta Lala,
14:30Bureau Report,
14:31India Today.
14:40And now let's talk about
14:42another political acrimony,
14:44political difference
14:45being stretched too far.
14:46Former Prime Minister of Pakistan,
14:48Imran Khan's aide,
14:49Shahzad Akbar,
14:49was attacked in United Kingdom.
14:52Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf said
14:53that a 25 to 30-year-old
14:55punched Shahzad in the face,
14:57breaking his nose and jaws.
14:58Investigation is on
14:59as Shahzad is admitted
15:01in the hospital.
15:02And this incident took place
15:03after Shahzad Akbar
15:04gave a fiery public speech
15:06criticizing Pakistan's
15:07Army Chief,
15:08Field Marshal Asimunir.
15:10Meanwhile,
15:10the Pakistan regime
15:11has submitted an extradition request
15:13and document for Shahzad.
15:16Shahzad is a member of PTI
15:17and was an advisor
15:18to former Prime Minister
15:20Imran Khan.
15:21Imran Khan,
15:22along with his wife,
15:23Bushra Bibi,
15:23have been sentenced
15:24to 17 years in prison
15:26in Toshakhana corruption case.
15:28Another case
15:29over submission
15:29of fake receipts
15:30related to Toshakhana gifts
15:32have also been registered
15:34against Bushra Bibi.
15:35Khan,
15:36who has been in jail
15:37since August 2023,
15:38is facing multiple cases
15:40after his ouster
15:41from par in 2022.
15:42Aasif Veneer
15:46has been in the last three years
15:48of Pakistan's
15:49laws,
15:50do and fear
15:50and fear.
15:50He tried to kill our
15:51sons,
15:53and killed our
15:53homes,
15:55and killed our
15:55leaders,
15:55and killed our
15:56officers,
15:56and killed our
15:57military.
15:58He did that
15:59he did that
16:00in the inside
16:01and fear.
16:01If it is successful,
16:03then we don't have
16:04here in a large
16:05state.
16:06If it is successful,
16:08and it is
16:08going to fear
16:08and fear
16:08and fear,
16:09then in Pakistan
16:10Yes.
16:40so Pakistan has also given me that this is no shame.
16:43Now, look at the top, the gun, everything that happens,
16:50fear and fear is so much that this overseas Pakistan's voice
16:54does not reach them to those who don't reach them,
16:56where they can get the tax of the million dollars
16:59to earn their own money.
17:01But what is it?
17:03Overseas Pakistan's voice.
17:05Where are you from?
17:07Where are you from?
17:09North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test-fighting of a long-range surface-to-air missile
17:32at a launch site near its east coast, according to still images aired by the state television
17:37The still photographs aired by the KRT showed the missiles blasting into the air with flame
17:44as Kim looked into binoculars while officials applauded.
17:47The test aimed at assessing the nuclear-armed country's strategic technology for developing
17:53a new type of high-altitude missile destroyed target in the air from 200 kilometers away.
17:59Kim also observed construction work at a separate site on an 8,700 ton nuclear-powered submarine
18:06capable of launching surface-to-air missiles.
18:09Kim's daughter was also seen along with him.
18:12The submarine project is part of North Korea's effort to modernize the country's navy.
18:21And let's see what else is making news across the globe in World at a Glance.
18:24The US Justice Department has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to
18:41convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying full release for weeks while officials redact
18:48details to protect victims.
18:52President Trump's administration began releasing files related to criminal investigation of Epstein,
18:58the late American financier who was friends with Trump in the 1990s to comply with a law
19:03passed by Congress last month.
19:06A group of 14 countries issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel's decision to establish
19:1519 new settlements in the occupied West Bank and warning that such moves violate an international
19:21law.
19:22The joint statement was co-signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland,
19:29Japan, Malta, and Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
19:39Turkish authorities have detained 115 suspected Islamic State members they said were planning
19:45to carry out attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.
19:50Istanbul police obtained information that Islamic State members have planned attacks in Turkey
19:56against non-Muslims, in particular, during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
20:03US President Donald Trump hosted a dinner on Christmas Eve in the ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago
20:09club in Palm Beach.
20:10Earlier, Trump participated in Norad Santa track a phone call and held a video call in
20:15US service personnel around the world.
20:17Christmas is meant to unite people through faith, family, and tradition.
20:26But across Europe, the far right is reclaiming the festive season as a symbol of identity and
20:32resistance, turning carols and native festivities into political statements.
20:36So, how did Christmas became a culture war tool?
20:39Here is a report by Jyoti Shukla.
20:51Christmas is supposed to be about joy, faith, and family.
20:58But across Europe, it is being turned into a political weapon.
21:02What was once a religious and cultural celebration is now the newest battleground in the far right's
21:08cultural war.
21:11From Italy to Germany, far right parties are claiming Christmas as proof that Europe's
21:17Christian civilization is under threat.
21:20They say secularism, immigration, and so-called wokeness are trying to erase tradition.
21:26And they present themselves as last defenders of Christmas.
21:33President Donald Trump openly claimed he brought back the phrase Merry Christmas, framing it as
21:38defiance against political correctness.
21:41Now European far right leaders are using the same playbook.
21:47In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made Christmas central to her political image.
21:52She defends nativity scenes in public spaces and warns against changing traditions to avoid offending minorities.
22:03Her party, Brothers of Italy, even hosts a massive Christmas-themed political festival.
22:09Blending Santa Claus, skating rinks, and nationalism.
22:13In France, Marine Le Pen's national rally campaigns for nativity scenes in town halls.
22:22Spain's Vox does the same.
22:25In Germany, the AFT claims the Christmas markets are losing their German character,
22:30often spreading misleading claims about Muslim influence.
22:33But here's the key point.
22:38Most of these leaders are not deeply religious.
22:41And many of their voters are not practicing Christians.
22:45And by wrapping politics in lights, carols, and traditions,
22:49the far right makes its message feel softer, warmer, and harder to challenge.
22:56With Jyoti Shukla, Bureau Report, India Today.
22:59U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump fielding questions from children
23:07on Christmas Eve about NORAD's annual Santa tracker, which tracks Santa's journey across the globe.
23:13Trump and the First Lady answered questions from children eager to know when Santa would arrive
23:17in their town, whether they should give him cookies, and even why a tracker was necessary.
23:22So, and what do you want from Santa?
23:30Oh, um, that's a hard one.
23:32Um, for me, I probably most want a Kindle.
23:42You want what?
23:44A Kindle.
23:45Oh, wow.
23:47That's pretty good. Well, you must be a high IQ person.
23:50Listen, we need more high IQ people in the country.
23:55So, we definitely need more high IQ.
24:01And that's all we have in this bulletin. Take care, and good night.
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