Violence Erupts in Bangladesh After Death of Student Leader Sharif Osman Hadi

Dhaka, Bangladesh — Violence spread across several parts of Bangladesh’s capital on Thursday after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure linked to last year’s nationwide student movement.

Hadi was shot last Friday while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. The bullet struck his head, leaving him critically injured. He was later airlifted to Singapore on December 15 for advanced medical treatment. Despite sustained efforts by doctors, he died on Thursday.

Hadi emerged as one of the most visible faces of the student protests that broke out in August last year against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was associated with the anti-Hasina platform Inqilab Mancha. At the time of the attack, he had been campaigning as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for February.

The Inqilab Mancha rose to prominence during the student protests in July last year. The group has been described as radical and was accused of playing a role in weakening the ruling Awami League. Although it had been active during the movement, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus later dissolved the platform and barred it from contesting national elections.

According to the BBC, news of Hadi’s death quickly sparked protests, vandalism, and arson in areas including Dhanmondi and Shahbagh. Groups of protesters carried out attacks across different parts of Dhaka throughout the night.

The offices of two leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were among the targets. Protesters also set fire to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi-32 and the Chhayanaut cultural center, causing significant damage.

Violence was also reported beyond the capital, including in Chattogram and Rajshahi. A large crowd gathered outside the residence of India’s Assistant High Commissioner, where local journalists reported incidents of stone-throwing.

In a separate incident, the house of Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, a former education minister in the ousted Awami League government, was vandalized and set on fire.

Government Appeal, Mourning, and International Response

As tensions escalated, interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation at 11:20 p.m. on Thursday. He urged the public to remain calm, avoid rumors and propaganda, and refrain from taking impulsive actions.

Yunus said those responsible for Hadi’s killing would be brought to justice as quickly as possible and face the maximum punishment under the law. He also announced that the government would take responsibility for the welfare of Hadi’s wife and his only child. A one-day state mourning has been declared for Saturday.

The Inqilab Mancha said in a Facebook post that Hadi’s family would bring his body back from Singapore on Friday. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Hadi died despite full efforts by doctors at Singapore General Hospital and the National Neuroscience Institute.

Authorities said they are assisting the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore with arrangements to repatriate his body. Political leaders from across the spectrum, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party, expressed condolences following Hadi’s death.