Osman Hadi Killing Triggers Bangladesh Protests

Bangladesh descended into widespread unrest after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader of the 2024 pro-democracy movement. Hadi, 32, succumbed to gunshot injuries at a Singapore hospital, injuries sustained in an assassination attempt last week. Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka late Thursday and early Friday, demanding justice for Hadi.

The demonstrations quickly spread to other cities, with protesters attempting to march toward Indian diplomatic premises and targeting properties associated with the former ruling Awami League.

Anti-India Sentiment Escalates

Protesters in Rajshahi tried to approach a regional Indian diplomat’s office but were stopped by police. Social media circulated videos showing stone-pelting incidents near the Indian Assistant High Commission. In Dhaka, hundreds of demonstrators attempted to gather outside Indian diplomatic residences, prompting police to use tear gas for crowd control.

Leaders from the National Citizen Party (NCP), an offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), joined the protests, chanting anti-India slogans. Allegations surfaced that Hadi’s attackers had fled to India, leading protest leaders to demand the temporary closure of the Indian High Commission until the suspects were returned.

Political Context and Parliamentary Concerns

The protests followed a report from India’s parliamentary External Affairs Committee, which described the situation in Bangladesh as “complex and evolving.” The committee highlighted instability in the lead-up to elections, citing incidents of violence, intimidation of minorities, and attacks on journalists and intellectuals.

Vandalism and Arson

The unrest escalated as protesters set fire to media offices in Dhaka, including the country’s largest newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Firefighters battled flames while staff and journalists were trapped inside.

Beyond the capital, the violence spread to Rajshahi, where an Awami League office was torched, and properties linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were vandalized. Demonstrators also blocked highways and attacked the residence of a former minister in Chittagong.

Sharif Osman Hadi: Catalyst of Outrage

Hadi was a senior leader of the student-led platform Inqilab Mancha and a vocal critic of both Hasina and the interim government. He was shot by masked assailants on December 12 while leaving a mosque in central Dhaka and later airlifted to Singapore for treatment. His death has been described by interim leader Muhammad Yunus as an “irreparable loss for the nation,” prompting a day of mourning and nationwide prayers.

Police have launched a nationwide manhunt, releasing photos of two suspects and offering a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest. Authorities have warned that continued violence risks destabilizing Bangladesh’s fragile political transition.

Conclusion

Sharif Osman Hadi’s death has reignited political tensions in Bangladesh, exposing deep divisions and anti-India sentiment while threatening to derail the country’s ongoing democratic transition. The situation remains fluid, with authorities struggling to restore order amid growing public anger and unrest.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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