Protests erupt in Bangladesh after 2024 uprising activist Sharif Hadi succumbs to injuries
Authorities say Hadi’s killer may have fled to India #India _Hadi _Killer
Dhaka: Widespread protests erupted across Bangladesh on Friday after Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, died in a hospital in Singapore following an assassination attempt.
According to Kashmir Media Service, thousands of protesters poured onto the streets of Dhaka after news of the 32-year-old activist’s death, demanding the arrest of his killers. Several buildings, including offices housing the country’s two leading newspapers, Daily Star and the Bengali-language Prothom Alo, were set on fire, authorities said. Protesters have previously accused these outlets of being aligned with India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been living in self-imposed exile since being ousted in last year’s uprising.
Hadi, a senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, was shot by masked assailants on December 12 as he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka. After initial treatment in Bangladesh, he was airlifted to Singapore in critical condition, where he died yesterday.
The protests spread beyond Dhaka, with protesters attacking Chhayanaut, a leading cultural institution, blocking highways and storming the residence of a former minister in the southeastern port city of Chittagong. Hundreds of protesters surrounded the residence of India’s deputy ambassador to Bangladesh in Dhaka, attempting to stage a sit-in, before police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, local media reported. Demonstrations were also reported at Shahbagh Square near Dhaka University, with similar protests reported in other parts of the country.
Bangladesh’s interim government, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, while confirming Hadi’s death in a televised address said, “His demise is an irreparable loss for the nation”. “The country’s march toward democracy cannot be halted through fear, terror, or bloodshed,” he added. The government announced special prayers at mosques on Friday and declared a half-day of mourning on Saturday.
The body of popular student leader returned home to Bangladesh on Friday. In a post on X, the interim administration wrote that a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Sharif Osman Hadi’s remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
Hadi was an outspoken critic of both Hasina and India. He had planned to run as an independent candidate in the next national elections, scheduled for February 2026, in a major Dhaka constituency.
Police have launched a manhunt for Hadi’s attackers, releasing photographs of two suspects and offering a reward of five million taka (about $42,000) for information leading to their arrest. Authorities have said they believe the shooter may have fled to India, comments that triggered a diplomatic row. New Delhi summoned Bangladesh’s envoy this week to protest the remarks, while Dhaka also called in India’s ambassador seeking clarification.
Observers say the protests reflect broad public sentiment, youth energy, and a demand for moderate, people-centric politics. Analysts argue that Bangladesh’s reaction is rooted in decades of Indian interference, pressure tactics, and institutional meddling by RAW, warning that India’s hegemonic designs are likely to face pushback. They add that South Asia needs rule-based conduct, respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and equal partnerships to ensure peace and stability, underscoring the importance of supporting a sovereign, independent Bangladesh.
