Widespread violence and unrest gripped several cities in Bangladesh overnight following the death of radical political leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering large-scale protests, arson, and rising anti-India sentiment. Hadi, 32, a controversial figure known for his strong anti-India rhetoric, died in a Singapore hospital after being shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last week.
Hadi, a spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha platform and a candidate in the upcoming general elections, was attacked on December 12 while launching his election campaign after leaving a mosque in the capital. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
As news of his death spread, thousands of supporters poured onto the streets of Dhaka and other major cities, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The protests quickly turned violent, with several buildings in the capital set ablaze. Offices of Bangladesh’s leading media houses—The Daily Star and Prothom Alo—were attacked and torched, trapping staff inside for a period, according to officials. Fire services later said the blaze at The Daily Star was brought under control.
Demonstrators chanted emotionally charged slogans invoking Hadi’s name, vowing to continue their movement until justice is delivered. While the protests initially focused on the site of the shooting, they soon escalated into a broader anti-India campaign, with protesters accusing New Delhi of interference.
Violence was reported beyond Dhaka as well. In Chittagong, protesters gathered outside the Indian Assistant High Commission, raising anti-India slogans amid heavy security deployment. In Rajshahi, mobs set fire to the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and vandalised an Awami League office, causing extensive damage.
Several areas across the country remained tense late into the night, prompting authorities to deploy additional police and paramilitary forces. Police have yet to issue a detailed public statement on the violence.
The unrest comes amid already strained India–Bangladesh relations following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after the 2024 student-led uprising. Earlier this week, hundreds of demonstrators under the banner “July Oikya” marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding Hasina’s return and chanting anti-India slogans.
India recently summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest over threats to its diplomatic missions and inflammatory remarks by Bangladeshi political leaders. India has firmly rejected what it described as a “false and dangerous narrative” linking it to the assassination of Hadi.
Reacting to the development, Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s death as a significant loss to the country’s political and democratic landscape. In a televised address, Yunus appealed for calm and assured citizens of a transparent investigation, warning that continued violence could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections. The interim government has declared Saturday a day of state mourning, with flags to fly at half-mast and special prayers to be held nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Bangladesh to limit movement and avoid unnecessary travel. Emergency contact numbers have been shared for assistance.
The violence has also disrupted media operations. The Daily Star and Prothom Alo have temporarily suspended both print and digital publications following the attacks, while The Business Standard failed to publish its city edition due to security concerns.
Bangladesh Police have launched a nationwide manhunt for Hadi’s attackers, releasing images of two suspects and announcing a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest. Yunus earlier stated that the shooting was a premeditated act by a powerful network aimed at destabilising the electoral process.
Bangladesh, currently governed by an interim administration since August 2024, is scheduled to hold national elections on February 12, marking its first parliamentary polls since the student uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape.
