Protests Erupt, Media Offices Torched: What’s Happening in Bangladesh After Osman Hadi’s Death | World News

Bangladesh is on edge as violent protests have broken out in many cities following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who died on Thursday following an assassination attempt early last week.

Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a prominent youth leader and spokesman for radical group Inquilab Mancha, was shot while campaigning in Dhaka last week. Hadi rose to fame after the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was also considered a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 seat in the upcoming national elections. Hadi was seriously injured in a gun attack in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area on December 12 during the upcoming national election campaign. Investigators said a gunman riding a motorcycle shot him in the back as he was traveling in a battery-powered rickshaw. He was later flown to Singapore and died there on Thursday, sparking unrest across the country ahead of the 2026 elections.

Important Developments Since Hadi’s Death:

Violent Protests in Cities:

Demonstrations broke out in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and other areas.

Protesters blocked highways, vandalized offices and clashed with security forces.

Media offices attacked:

• Protesters set fire to the Daily Star and Prothom Alo offices while staff were inside.
  
• The fires were taken under control after hours, but the roads were closed and extinguishing efforts were delayed.

Targeted Historical and Political Places:

• The house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh, was vandalized and set on fire.
  
• Offices of the Awami League were destroyed and buildings of cultural organizations such as Chhayanaut were attacked.

Indian Diplomatic Mission Attacked:

• Protesters hurled stones and staged a sit-in in front of the Indian Deputy High Commission in Chattogram.
  
• Anti-India slogans were raised, reflecting ongoing tensions after Hasina fled to Delhi.

Government Response:

• Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus promised that the murderers would be brought to justice and called on citizens to remain calm.
  
• The government declared a day of national mourning on Saturday, with flags flying at half-mast.

A group of people staged a protest by marching from Shahbagh to Kawran Bazar in Dhaka and laying siege to the Prothom Alo office. The police who arrived at the scene tried to control the crowd but could not maintain order. The demonstration reflects rising tensions in the capital amid ongoing unrest following recent events.

Earlier on Wednesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah to express serious concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh. The MEA highlighted the threat posed by some extremist groups planning to create unrest near the Indian mission in Dhaka.