The body of slain youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi was brought back to Bangladesh on Friday. The 32-year-old was a leader of Inquilab Mancha, the youth organisation that played a key role in the July uprising of 2024, which brought down the Sheikh Hassina government. He was shot at by an unidentified assailant on December 12 in Dhaka. After undergoing treatment in the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the Evercare Hospital, he was airlifted to Singapore on December 15. Hadi died on Thursday, December 18, while undergoing treatment in Singapore.

Inqilab Mancha announced on Friday that Sharif Osman Hadi will be buried beside national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus on Saturday. According to Inqilab Mancha, the family of Hadi had expressed their desire for him to be laid to rest next to Nazrul Islam.

Hadi’s family also demanded the construction of a memorial in his honour at Shahbagh, where he had initiated the movement.

Hadi’s funeral prayer is scheduled to be held after noon prayer on Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday, December 20, with the body brought to Dhaka University Central Mosque for public homage.

Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, who addressed the nation on Thursday, after Hadi’s death, declared a day of mourning in the country on Saturday. The interim government also urged the people of Bangladesh to resist all forms of mob violence, which it said were committed by a “few fringe elements”.

“This is ‌a critical moment in our nation’s ‍history when we are making a historic ​democratic transition,” the government said in a statement. “We cannot and must not allow it to be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos and reject peace.”

Inqilab Mancha, the youth organisation which Hadi represented on Friday, urged its supporters not to respond to any “instructions or provocations” from sources other than the platform itself.

“Do not heed any instructions or provocations from anyone other than the Inqilab Mancha,” it said, adding that a “strong programme” would be announced soon.

The US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday issued a security advisory for American citizens, citing media reports related to the arrival and funeral of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and warning of potential traffic disruption and unrest in the capital.

“Extremely heavy traffic is expected in the area and throughout Dhaka.” Cautioning US nationals about safety risks amid the gathering of large crowds, the embassy said, “U.S. citizens should practice vigilance and remember that gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” Advising avoidance of crowded areas, the statement added, “You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.”

Violence was reported in a number of cities across Bangladesh, ‌including the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong, where protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission.

The unrest follows fresh anti-India protests this week, with ties between the neighbours deteriorating since Hasina fled to Delhi. On Wednesday, hundreds of ‌demonstrators marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, chanting anti-India slogans and demanding Hasina’s return.

Although calm had returned to much of the country on Friday morning, protesters carrying national flags and placards continued demonstrating at Shahbagh in central ‌Dhaka, chanting slogans and vowing not to return until justice was served.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the killing of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

“I urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation into the attack that led to Hadi’s death, and to ensure due process and accountability for those responsible,” he said in a statement.