Violence erupted in Dhaka on Friday after Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old youth leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 pro-democracy movement, died from injuries sustained in a December 12 assassination attempt. Thousands took to the streets demanding justice, and protests turned violent, with fires breaking out at major newspaper offices, trapping staff and forcing emergency responders into urgent action.
Protesters Attack Buildings and Streets
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes across Dhaka, with fires breaking out at multiple locations. The fire brigade reported at least three major fires early Friday. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze at The Daily Star building under control by 1:40 a.m., but 27 employees remained trapped inside during the fire. Reporter Zyma Islam described her harrowing experience on Facebook, saying, “I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me.”
Protesters chanted slogans and took selfies amid the destruction, expressing their anger and frustration. Violence spread beyond Dhaka to other cities, including Chattogram in the country’s southeast, where demonstrators attacked a former minister’s residence and blocked a key highway.
Hundreds of protesters surrounded the house of India’s deputy ambassador to Bangladesh. Police had to use teargas to disperse the crowd, preventing the situation from escalating further. Protesters also targeted cultural centers like Chhayanaut in Dhaka, showing the widespread anger and unrest among the youth and activists.
Sharif Osman Hadi: A Key Figure in Bangladesh’s Democracy Movement
Hadi was a central figure in the 2024 uprising that ended the autocratic rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after losing power. He was preparing to run for a parliamentary seat in the February 2026 national elections and was widely regarded as a symbol of pro-democracy activism.
On December 12, masked assailants shot Hadi as he left a mosque in Dhaka. His condition was critical, leading to his transfer to a hospital in Singapore. Singaporean authorities confirmed his death on Thursday, stating, “Despite the best efforts of the doctors … Mr Hadi succumbed to his injuries.” They also announced that they were assisting Bangladeshi authorities with repatriating his body.
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In Dhaka, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death in a televised speech. Yunus called Hadi’s death “an irreparable loss for the nation” and emphasized that violence or terror could not halt Bangladesh’s march toward democracy. Authorities announced special prayers at mosques and scheduled a half-day of mourning across the country.
Hadi was a senior leader of Inqilab Mancha, a student protest group that played a major role in challenging Hasina’s rule. Known for his outspoken criticism of India, Hadi had been a vocal figure in Bangladesh’s ongoing political struggle.
Police Launch Manhunt After Sharif Osman Hadi Assassination
Bangladeshi police have launched an immediate manhunt to catch Hadi’s killers. Meanwhile, authorities released photographs of two key suspects and offered a reward of 5 million taka (around $42,000) for information leading to their arrest. The government also stressed the urgency of identifying and apprehending the attackers to prevent further unrest.
At the same time, Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people, is preparing for national elections in February, where citizens will directly vote for 300 lawmakers. Notably, the last elections in January 2024, which gave Hasina a fourth consecutive term and 222 parliamentary seats to her Awami League party, were widely criticized by opposition parties as unfair.
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Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is considered a strong contender in the upcoming elections. Zia, currently battling a lung infection in intensive care, has left her son and political heir, Tarique Rahman, to return from exile in Britain after 17 years on December 25 to participate in the political process.
Overall, this violent response to Hadi’s death highlights the deep political tensions in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the widespread unrest, attacks on media offices, and mass mobilization of protesters indicate a volatile situation that continues to unfold across the country.