Protests across Bangladesh after death of Sharif Osman Hadi
Protests have erupted across Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader and election candidate, who succumbed to gunshot wounds in Singapore on December 18, 2025. His assassination last week during an election campaign launch in Dhaka has fueled widespread unrest, with demonstrators demanding justice. The violence has intensified pressure on Muhammad Yunus’ interim government ahead of national elections.
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, served as spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha and played a key role in the 2024 student uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was shot in the head by masked assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 while campaigning for the February 2026 elections. Airlifted to Singapore for treatment, he died despite medical efforts.
Thousands gathered in Dhaka and other cities, blocking highways like Shahbagh, torching media houses such as Prothom Alo and Daily Star offices, and vandalizing Awami League-linked properties including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence. Anti-India slogans echoed amid the chaos, with police deploying tear gas to control crowds. Hadi’s group distanced itself from the violence, while authorities offered rewards for information on the attackers.
Security forces tightened measures nationwide as protests spread, trapping media staff and raising fears of broader instability. The interim government faces growing scrutiny over security lapses ahead of elections. Investigations into the assassination continue, with a manhunt underway.
