Massive Protests In Bangladesh After Osman Hadi’s Death, Awami League’s Office Set On Fire

Last Updated:December 19, 2025, 00:42 IST

As per reports, protesters also attacked the offices of media houses The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Protests erupted outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram

Protests erupted over Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi’s death. (PTI)

Massive protests broke out in several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died while undergoing treatment after he was shot in the head in Dhaka on December 12.

“Despite the best efforts of the doctors…, Mr (Sharif Osman) Hadi succumbed to his injuries,” Singapore’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

A mob reportedly attacked the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo in Dhaka, while a protest erupted outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. Amid reports of a fire at former minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury’s residence, journalists are facing increased threats from radical groups for engaging with the Indian media.

According to The Daily Star, several protesters marched around the Shahbagh police station chanting slogans like “Tumi ke ami ke? Hadi, Hadi,” “Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka”, “Surround the Indian embassy,” and “Inqilab Zindabad.”

Read More: July Uprising Organiser Osman Hadi Dies In Singapore; Bangladesh Declares National Mourning

As per reports, the Awami League’s office in Rajshahi was set on fire. Agitated protesters also attacked and vandalised the office of Prothom Alo, one of Bangladesh’s leading Bengali-language newspapers.

Earlier in a Facebook post, Inquilab Mancha had urged Bangladeshis to take to the streets and assemble at Shahbagh, saying the protest would be framed as a movement to protect the country’s sovereignty if Hadi succumbed to his injuries and was attained martyrdom.

Osman Hadi’s Assassination

Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants in Bangladesh’s capital while travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw on Culvert Road in the Paltan area. He was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital after his condition worsened.

On Saturday, he was flown to Singapore to receive advanced medical treatment. He was admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit for emergency treatment. However, Hadi succumbed to his injuries on December 18.

Yunus Declares State Mourning

Following Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm.

“I sincerely appeal to all citizens of the country- please maintain patience and restraint. Give the law enforcement agencies and relevant institutions the opportunity to conduct the investigation professionally,” he said in a statement.

Yunus said all those involved in what he termed a “brutal assassination” would be brought to justice and face the highest punishment, with no leniency shown.

The interim government has also declared a one-day national mourning to mark his death.

Who Was Osman Sharif Hadi?

Hadi was a member of the anti-Hasina platform Inqilab Manch. Also a candidate for the upcoming polls in February, Hadi was campaigning as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency at the time of the attack.

Inqilab Mancha came into focus during the July uprising in Bangladesh last year, which ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

Inquilab Mancha has been at the forefront of efforts to dismantle the Awami League. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus disbanded the party in May this year, barring it from contesting elections.

The group has also been leading a campaign demanding the arrest of what it describes as “all terrorists” linked to the disbanded Awami League, from senior leadership to grassroots workers, while calling for protection of the so-called “July warriors”.

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