Bangladesh was gripped by unrest on Friday following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader and spokesperson for the revolutionary group Inquilab Mancha. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Dhaka and other cities after violent protests erupted overnight, raising concerns about further disturbances ahead of the country’s national elections scheduled for February 12.
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Hadi, 32, was shot in the head by masked assailants last Friday while launching his election campaign. Initially treated at a local hospital, he was later flown to Singapore for advanced care, where he died after six days on life support. Known for his outspoken criticism of India, Hadi played a key role in the student-led movement that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
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Protests erupt across Dhaka after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
Massive crowds gather at Shahbagh as Inqilab Manch and youth groups mourn. Awami League office vandalised and set on fire in Rajshahi.
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Violent protests erupt in Bangladesh after death of prominent youth leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, of last year’s student uprising that ousted PM Sheikh Hasina. Hadi was shot last week in Dhaka and has died of his injuries.
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Protests following his death saw mobs vandalise offices of major newspapers, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, with demonstrators chanting slogans in Hadi’s name. In some districts, protesters set fire to cultural organisations, blocked highways, and demolished Awami League party offices. Security forces were deployed to prevent further violence, and the fire service contained multiple blazes, rescuing trapped journalists.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina’s departure to India, declared a day of state mourning on Saturday. Yunus appealed for calm, promising a transparent investigation into Hadi’s death and urging citizens not to let violence undermine the country’s path toward credible elections.
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Unrest has also reflected wider anti-India sentiment, with demonstrators targeting the Indian High Commission and other Indian-linked sites. The escalating tensions underscore the fragility of political stability in Bangladesh, as the nation prepares for elections under a tense and volatile environment. Authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring developments and calling for restraint from all sides.