Large-scale protests erupted across Bangladesh on Thursday after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical leader known for his strong anti-India stance. Thousands of protesters gathered at Shahbag in Dhaka, chanting slogans and holding placards while accusing authorities of failing to protect him.
Hadi was the convener of the political platform Inquilab Mancha and a key organiser of the July Uprising. As anger spread, the demonstrations turned violent. Protesters vandalised the office of Daily Prothom Alo, the country’s largest newspaper, triggering further unrest in the capital.
In the northwestern city of Rajshahi, protesters set fire to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence and an Awami League office, causing heavy damage. Local media reported that several people were trapped inside the building housing the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star after protesters vandalised the premises and then set them ablaze.
Read More: Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi?
According to the Associated Press, soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed outside the buildings but did not intervene. Security officials attempted to negotiate with the protesters as firefighters reached the site.
Protests also spread to Chattogram, where demonstrators gathered outside the residence of India’s Deputy High Commissioner. The crowd assembled around 11 pm, shouting slogans over Hadi’s killing and pelting stones at the premises. Many raised openly anti-India and anti-Awami League slogans, including calls against what they termed “Indian aggression” and threats targeting Awami League members.
Bangladesh’s foreign office confirmed earlier that Hadi died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Singapore. He had been critically injured on December 12 after being shot in the head by unidentified attackers while campaigning in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but did not survive.
As tensions escalated, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm and urged people not to take the law into their own hands. He announced a day of national mourning on Friday, with special prayers to be held at mosques nationwide. Yunus said those responsible for what he described as the “heinous murder” would not be spared and referred to Hadi as a martyr.
Security conditions in several parts of Dhaka remained extremely volatile late into the night.
Sharif Osman Hadi rose to prominence during the July Uprising and became a leading voice in the campaign seeking a constitutional ban on the Awami League. Known for his hardline opposition to pro-India politics, he also criticised the BNP, warning that a return to traditional political practices would lead to rapid collapse.
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