Uprising leader’s death triggers unrest in Bangladesh
Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in last year’s violent demonstrations that led to the government’s overthrow in Dhaka, was shot earlier this month
Overnight, violent demonstrations broke out across Bangladesh following the death of a leader from the 2024 uprising, who had been shot earlier this month. Authorities confirmed that Sharif Osman Hadi, targeted by masked attackers in Dhaka last week, passed away on Thursday while receiving medical care in Singapore.
Demonstrators took to the streets, calling for the arrest of those responsible, and local media reported that the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were vandalized.
“Given that the Prothom Alo office experienced extensive attacks, vandalism, and arson last night, it was impossible to maintain normal operations. Consequently, today’s printed edition of Prothom Alo could not be published. Its online portal is also temporarily offline,” the media outlet stated.
Hadi was shot as he departed a mosque in the capital, Dhaka, just one day after Bangladesh’s chief election official declared the date for the nation’s first elections since the 2024 uprising.
At that time, the Sheikh Hasina government was overthrown during the protests in Bangladesh.
Hadi, who served as spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, or Platform for Revolution—a group that identifies itself as a “revolutionary cultural platform inspired by the spirit of uprising”—played a pivotal role in the 2024 demonstrations. He had intended to run in the general elections scheduled for February 12 in the country.
These events also follow two days after New Delhi summoned Dhaka’s envoy to express concerns regarding the “deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh.”
New Delhi had previously stated its expectation that Dhaka would guarantee the safety of its diplomatic missions and posts within Bangladesh.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh had claimed that Hasina was permitted to issue “incendiary” statements from Indian territory, an accusation New Delhi has refuted.
Dhaka has called for Hasina’s extradition from India, following a court’s imposition of a death sentence against her for crimes against humanity connected to the brutal suppression of demonstrators during the 2024 uprising.
The former prime minister has asserted that the sentence was politically driven.
Hasina’s Awami League, which governed for 15 years prior to the uprising, has been prohibited from taking part in the elections.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad Yunus currently holds the position of chief adviser to the interim Bangladesh government, which is presently governing the nation.