Bangladesh Erupts After Radical Leader Hadi’s Death
Violent protests, arson and anti-India slogans rock cities after Sharif Osman Hadi dies
GG News Bureau
Dhaka, 19th Dec: Violent protests erupted across several cities in Bangladesh overnight following the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread arson, attacks on media houses and a sharp escalation in anti-India rhetoric.
Hadi, 32, a polarising figure known for his strong anti-India stance, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore. He had been shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last Friday while launching his election campaign. A spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha platform and a candidate in the upcoming general elections, Hadi rose to prominence during the 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
As news of his death spread, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka and other cities, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. Several buildings in the capital, including offices of leading newspapers The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were set ablaze, trapping staff inside, authorities said. Fire services later said the blaze at The Daily Star was brought under control.
Violence was also reported in Chittagong, where protesters gathered outside the Indian Assistant High Commission and raised anti-India slogans. In Rajshahi, mobs set fire to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence and an Awami League office, causing extensive damage. Security forces were deployed in large numbers as tensions remained high late into the night.
The unrest comes amid worsening ties between India and Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi. Earlier this week, radical groups under the banner “July Oikya” marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, chanting anti-India slogans and demanding Hasina’s return. India subsequently summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest over threats to its diplomatic mission and inflammatory statements by Bangladeshi leaders.
A leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party recently claimed Dhaka would shelter forces hostile to India and help sever India’s “seven sisters” in the Northeast, further heightening tensions. India has firmly rejected what it called a false narrative being pushed by extremist elements linking it to Hadi’s killing.
In a televised address, interim chief Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s death as “an irreplaceable loss” and urged citizens to remain calm. He assured a transparent investigation and warned that continued violence could derail the upcoming elections. The interim administration has declared Saturday a day of state mourning, with flags at half-mast and special prayers nationwide.
Bangladesh has been under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Yunus since August 2024, with national elections scheduled for February 12. Indian authorities have issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and limit movement amid the deteriorating security situation.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi police have launched a manhunt for Hadi’s attackers, releasing photographs of suspects and announcing a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest.
