The UK Government has condemned “all acts of violence” in Bangladesh and called for peaceful and credible elections as the issue of killings of Hindus and other religious minorities in the country was raised in the House of Commons. Opposition Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman asked the Labour government to intervene to protect minorities and ensure elections scheduled for February are “free and fair” in a parliamentary statement on Thursday (January 15, 2026). 

Unrest unlimited: On the crisis in Bangladesh

Mr. Blackman, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, told UK members of Parliament that he was “horrified” over the “disastrous situation” that has involved Hindus being murdered and their temples burned. “Hindu men are being murdered on the streets, their houses being burned, the temples are being burned, and other religious minorities are suffering similar fates,” said Mr. Blackman.  “Next month, there are due to be so-called free and fair elections.”

The Awami League who are a major political party in Bangladesh are banned from competing in those elections, despite the fact that they command something like 30 per cent in the opinion polls. “Equally, the Islamic extremists have called a referendum which would change the constitution of Bangladesh forever,” he said.  Mr. Blackman asked the Leader of the Commons, Alan Campbell, to raise the matter with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to address Parliament on the steps being taken by the UK towards “inclusive” elections and minority protections in Bangladesh. “As far as Bangladesh, which he raises, we actively engage with the humanitarian situation and support the interim government on peaceful and credible elections,” Alan Campbell said on behalf of the government.

Mr. Campbell assured Mr. Blackman that he would “draw attention” of the foreign secretary towards his parliamentary statement and said the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) would consider a statement at an “appropriate” time.   Blackman’s intervention comes a week on from his party’s shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, writing to Yvette Cooper over the “very concerning” situation in Bangladesh and calling for UK intervention following an “increase in violence”. 

Hold the centre: On the road ahead for Bangladesh

“Religious freedoms should be protected and the murders of Hindus and persecution taking place are wrong and must stop. The UK government must use its influence and convening powers to work to bring about stability in Bangladesh and a future where religious freedoms are protected and Hindus as safe,” said the Indian-origin Tory MP. 

British Hindu groups led by the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK have also been coordinating protests in London against the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. The protesters have condemned the “unethical arrest of interfaith voice Chinmaya Prabhu and public lynching of Dipu Das by Islamic extremists” and reports emanating from Dhaka of other attacks.

Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) bid an emotional farewell to former Prime Minister and BNP patriarch Khaleda Zia as she was laid to rest near the parliament building amid tight security.

Zia, the three-time Prime Minister and a towering political figure, died on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, several senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, and other neighbouring countries, diplomats and top political and military brass of Bangladesh attended Zia’s funeral at Manik Mia Avenue.

Zia’s coffin, draped in the national flag, was brought to the funeral site in a convoy from her residence. Thousands of mourners gathered outside the parliament complex to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader. Many Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters were seen carrying flags featuring Zia’s photographs.

Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Zia’s son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman were among those joining the funeral prayers.

“Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven,” Zia’s elder son, Mr. Rahman, told the crowd ahead of the prayers. Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader led the funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza) held at the Manik Mia Avenue of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament building).

BNP’s Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Zia. Mourners from all walks of life offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the departed soul, as they burst into tears, being emotional with the passing of their beloved leader.

After the funeral prayers, she was laid to rest beside her husband’s grave with State honour at around 4:30 pm (local time).

Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel joined the funeral, while the Maldives was represented by its Higher Education and Labour Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed. Ambassadors, high commissioners, and heads of international organisations stationed in Dhaka also attended Zia’s funeral prayers.

In a televised address to the nation, Chief Adviser Yunus on Tuesday (December 31, 2025) announced a three-day State mourning and a one-day general holiday.

Zia had been suffering from multiple complex and chronic health conditions, including liver and kidney complications, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and infection-related problems.

She last appeared in public on November 21 when she joined the Armed Forces Day reception at Dhaka Cantonment. Two days later, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

Her political journey, spanning over four decades, was one of tremendous highs and lows: from leading a major party and governing the country to being convicted on corruption charges and later receiving a presidential pardon.

Her appearance as a public figure in the political arena at the age of 35 was not a planned debut; rather, she was thrust into politics after the 1981 assassination of her husband, a military ruler turned politician who founded BNP in 1978.

In 1991, BNP won the elections, and Zia became the first woman Prime Minister in Bangladesh and second in the Muslim world after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.

Bangladesh’s ​first female prime ‌minister, ​Khaleda Zia, died after a prolonged illness, ​her opposition ⁠Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said ​on ⁠Tuesday (December 30, 2025).

“The BNP Chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6.00 a.m., just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer,” the party said in a statement.

“We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it added.

Ms. Zia, aged 80, had ‌advanced cirrhosis ‌of the liver, arthritis, ‍diabetes, chest ‍and heart problems, her doctors said.

The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s archrivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation.

Khaleda Zia: Return of the Begum 

She had faced corruption cases she said were politically motivated, but in January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted Zia in the last corruption case against her, which would have let her run in February’s election.

Ms. Zia had returned to the country in May after undergoing medical treatment in the U.K.

In early January, Bangladesh’s interim government had allowed her to travel abroad after Sheikh Hasina’s government rejected previous requests at least 18 times.

Ms. Zia was married to President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed during a 1981 coup. She then helped build a mass movement against the military dictator, who was finally ousted in 1990.

She won her first term in 1991 and served again from 2001. Her opponent in that election and several since was Ms. Hasina.

Though Ms. Zia had ‌been out of power since 2006 and had spent several years in jail or under house arrest, she and ​her centre-right BNP continued to command much support.

The BNP is seen as the frontrunner to win the parliamentary election slated to take place in February. Her son and acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, 60, returned to the country last week from nearly 17 years in self-exile and is widely seen as a strong candidate to become prime minister.

With inputs from AFP, Reuters, AP