Protests in Bangladesh after prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi dies
Hadi, who was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen, died on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital. (Photo: Facebook)Tensions have gripped Bangladesh once again after Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the July Uprising and a spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch who was shot last week, died.
Hadi, who was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen, died on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital.
Protests in Bangladesh
According to local media reports, supporters and activists of the July Moncho took to Shahbagh in Dhaka, demanding justice for the killing of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: Protests erupted over Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi’s death.#Bangladesh #Protests pic.twitter.com/Hl8j6LRn5X
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2025
“If Osman Hadi responds to the call of his Creator and joins the ranks of martyrs, the oppressed and freedom-seeking people of Bangladesh are requested to gather at Shahbagh to ensure sovereignty,” the Inqilab Mancha said.
Students demand justice for Hadi
Several student groups have also taken to the streets across Dhaka, including at the Dhaka University campus, to protest his death.
A student group called ‘Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’ brought out a mourning procession on the Dhaka University campus and marched from Shahbagh to join the demonstration at the intersection.
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The Chhatra Shakti burnt an effigy of Home Adviser, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, demanding his immediate resignation for his failure to arrest Hadi’s assailants.
Newspaper’s office attacked
A group of people launched an attack on mass circulation of Bangla newspaper Prothom Alo’s office at capital’s Karwan Bazar, near the Shahbagh intersection.
Reports said that they have vandalised multiple floors while several journalist and staff of the newspaper were trapped inside as the mob ignited a fire in front of the building.
“Several hundred demonstrators reached the Prothom Alo office around 11pm and later surrounded the building,” a witness told PTI.
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Muhammad Yunus announces national mourning
Bangladesh’s Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus described Hadi as a fearless frontline fighter of the uprising.
“Today, I came before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, is no more among us,” Yunus said while addressing the nation.
Yunus promised swift action to catch Hadi’s killers and declared one-day state mourning.
Yunus also announced a state-mourning on Saturday, promising to expose his killers to justice and take responsibility for his wife and only child and called for restraint.
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“I sincerely call upon all citizens – keep your patience and restraint,” he said.