Reuters
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Bangladesh has been rocked by violent protests in several cities after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi late Thursday, raising fears of further unrest ahead of a national election.
Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform and a general election candidate, was shot in the head by a masked assailant last Friday while campaigning in Dhaka. He was initially treated at a local hospital and then taken to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, where he died after being put on life support for six days.
In Dhaka, videos circulating on social media showed rioters vandalizing the offices of the country’s largest dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
The demonstrations were marked by emotional slogans referencing Hadi, with participants pledging to continue the movement and calling for swift justice and accountability for the attack that claimed Hadi’s life. Tensions remained in some areas late into the night, and additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed to prevent further violence.
Police had no immediate comment, but fire officials said the Daily Star fire was under control.
Bangladesh has been ruled by an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August 2024, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following student-led riots. The country’s national elections are scheduled for February 12th.
In a televised address to the nation following Hadi’s death, Yunus said: “His death represents an irreplaceable loss to the country’s political and democratic sphere.”
Yunus called on the public to remain calm and said the government was committed to ensuring a transparent investigation and bringing all those responsible to justice. He also appealed for restraint, warning that violence would only undermine the country’s path to credible elections.
The interim government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning in Hadi’s memory, with flags to be flown at half-mast and special prayers to be held across the country.
Violence was also reported in several other cities across Bangladesh, including the port city of Chittagong.
The unrest follows fresh anti-India protests earlier this week amid worsening relations with the neighboring country since Hasina fled to Delhi. On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, holding “July Oikya” (July Unity) flags and shouting anti-India slogans, while also demanding the return of Hasina.
