Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s protest movement that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, died on Thursday in Singapore after battling for his life for six days. His death was confirmed through a press release from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hadi was shot earlier this month in Dhaka and initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Evercare Hospital. On December 15, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday night.
Hadi served as the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, a political platform that emerged from the protest movement. He was a key leader of the July Uprising, which played a major role in toppling the previous Awami League government, and was reportedly being considered as a candidate for the upcoming general elections.
Read More: Bangladesh on Edge After Radical Leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s Death
When was Sharif Osman Hadi shot?
The shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi took place on December 12 while Hadi was campaigning in central Dhaka. According to investigators, an assailant on a motorcycle opened fire at him as he was travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw to carry out electioneering activities. He was critically injured after being shot in the head in the Paltan area of the capital.
Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital performed emergency brain surgery and described his condition as extremely critical. Medical teams later said the bullet had caused severe damage to his brain stem. Despite being moved to Singapore for specialised care, Hadi could not recover and died after six days of treatment.
His death triggered widespread protests across Dhaka. Hundreds of students and supporters gathered at the Shahbagh intersection, chanting slogans in his name. Student groups and political organisations linked to last year’s protest movement accused authorities of failing to provide adequate security and demanded swift action against those responsible for the attack.
As protests intensified, there were reports of vandalism at media offices in the capital and attacks on properties linked to political figures in different parts of the country. The interim government appealed for calm and urged citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their investigations.
Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s killing as an “irreparable loss” to Bangladesh’s democratic landscape. Calling for unity and restraint, he said that fear, violence, and bloodshed would not be able to stop the country’s democratic progress, adding that advancing democracy would be the true tribute to Sharif Osman Hadi.
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