Bangladesh: Jamaat engages in dual Shariah narrative ahead of Feb election

IANS | January 28, 2026 9:09 PM

Dhaka, Jan 28 (IANS) Although Bangladesh's radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami signals when convenient that it will not implement Shariah if it comes to power, its leaders, including candidates for the February 12 general elections--openly advocate establishing Shariah law on television talk shows. Similarly, at the grassroots level, mid, lower-tier leaders and workers promote voting for the Jamaat electoral symbol 'daripalla' (balance scale) symbol as a religious duty, while some even present it as a “ticket to paradise”, a report said on Wednesday.

National Capital gears up for Beating Retreat tomorrow

IANS | January 28, 2026 8:12 PM

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) New Delhi gears up for a stirring musical finale as the Beating Retreat ceremony unfolds on Thursday (January 29) at the historic Vijay Chowk, officially drawing the curtains on the 77th Republic Day festivities.