DACCA: Nine Bangladesh Ministers resigned today [July 7] amid speculation that Prime Minister Mujibur Rahman will drastically reshuffle his Cabinet. Observers said he is planning the reshuffle to arm himself with more powers against anti-social activities and secret killings which have shaken this young country. … Meanwhile a top official of the opposition National Awami Party has claimed that the party Chairman Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani has been placed under house arrest. Maulana Bhashani was picked up by Police on June 30 along with five leaders of the … National Front as they planned to violate a law prohibiting gatherings of more than five people, the official said. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Rawalpindi,] the Federal Information Minister, Maulana Kausar Niazi … has particularly appealed to the Press not to denigrate Ulema who constitute an extremely respectable element in our society. At the same time, the Minister has appealed to Ulema also “not to allow their distinguished names to be exploited for political purposes”. … … “[T]he National Press in this task is ... aware of its responsibilities and obligations”.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2024