Bangladesh is on edge after violent protests erupted across several cities following the death of youth leader and election candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to his injuries late on Thursday after an assassination attempt last week. The unrest has come at a politically sensitive time, with the country preparing for national elections scheduled for February 2026.
Sharif Osman Hadi, was a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, a socio-cultural platform that emerged after Bangladesh’s July 2024 uprising. He was also preparing to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections. Last Friday, while launching his campaign in Dhaka, Hadi was attacked by masked assailants and shot in the head.
The attack took place in Bijoynagar, where an assailant riding pillion on a moving motorcycle opened fire while Hadi was travelling in a rickshaw. He was initially rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and was later airlifted to Singapore. After remaining on life support for six days, he died on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Hadi was a prominent face of the 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India and remains in self-imposed exile. He was also known for his outspoken criticism of India and had announced plans to contest the election as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. The interim administration declared Saturday a day of state mourning in Hadi’s honour. National flags will be flown at half-mast and special prayers are planned across the country.
News of his death triggered widespread anger, with reports of violent demonstrations, arson and vandalism emerging from multiple parts of the country. Protesters raised emotionally charged slogans invoking Hadi’s name, vowed to continue their movement and demanded swift justice. Authorities deployed additional police and paramilitary forces to contain the unrest as several areas remained tense.
In a major escalation, offices of two of Bangladesh’s largest newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were set on fire by mobs while staff members were still inside the buildings. AFP reported that the blaze at The Daily Star office was brought under control at around 1.40 am (1940 GMT on Thursday).
Protesters accused the newspapers of being aligned with India, where Sheikh Hasina is currently based. Firefighters faced delays in reaching the buildings as demonstrators blocked access roads. Staff members were rescued hours after the fires were set.
Fresh incidents of violence were reported from several regions. In Dhaka, the premises of the renowned cultural organisation Chhayanaut were vandalised and torched. In the north-western district of Rajshahi, protesters demolished an Awami League office using a bulldozer. Demonstrators also blocked major highways in multiple districts.
The unrest spread to the port city of Chittagong, where protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission and set fire to a house belonging to a former Awami League education minister. Bangladesh media also reported that the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding president and Sheikh Hasina’s father, was vandalised and torched once again, after having been targeted twice earlier this year.
According to BD News, a group of protesters hurled stones and staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram late on Thursday night. Demonstrators gathered around 11 pm in the Khulshi area, shouting slogans over Hadi’s killing along with anti-Awami League and anti-India chants. Police later intervened and pushed the crowd away from the mission premises.
Anti-India protests had already been reported earlier in the week amid strained relations between the two countries since Hasina fled to Delhi. On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters under the banner “July Oikya” (July Unity) marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding Hasina’s return and raising slogans against India.
Addressing the nation in a televised speech late on Thursday night, Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death and promised swift action against those responsible. “Today, I came before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, is no more among us,” Yunus said. He vowed firm action against the perpetrators. “No leniency will be shown” to those involved in the killing, he said.
Calling for calm, Yunus added, “I sincerely call upon all citizens to keep patience and restraint. Let law enforcement agencies and other relevant organisations have the opportunity to carry out investigations with professionalism.” He said the interim government was fully committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for Hadi’s killing.
