Violent protests broke out in Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh on Thursday evening after news emerged of the death of well-known activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Confirming his death, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, “Despite the best efforts of the doctors. Hadi succumbed to his injuries.”
Following the announcement, angry protesters took to the streets demanding the arrest of those responsible for killing Hadi. Tensions quickly escalated as crowds gathered in large numbers.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was a key leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising Inqilab Mancha. He was born in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokathi district into a Muslim family. His father worked as a madrasa teacher and also served as a local imam. He was the youngest among six siblings and grew up in a deeply religious and education-focused household. He started his studies at Jhalakati N S Kamil Madrasa, where he completed his Alim education. Later, he went on to study Political Science at the University of Dhaka, according to Wikipedia.
Hadi was being seen as a possible candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency in the national elections scheduled for February next year.
Sharif Osman Hadi’s Anti-India stance
Hadi was also known for his strong criticism of India. Hadi presented himself as a firm critic of any political group he believed was under New Delhi’s influence. He often targeted the Awami League for its long-standing links with India and also took aim at the BNP and the interim government, accusing them of failing to free themselves from Indian control.
He played a key coordinating role during the student-led protests in August 2024 that eventually forced Hasina to flee to India. During this period, he often described Hasina’s rule as “fascist” and “autocratic,” and called for members of her party to be barred from taking part in future elections.
Announcing his death in a Facebook post late on Thursday, Inqilab Mancha said: “In the struggle against Indian hegemony, Allah has accepted the great revolutionary Osman Hadi as a martyr.”
How did Sharif Osman Hadi die?
Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka while travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw; the attacker fired at him from a motorcycle. After the shooting, Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment, according to a report by Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.
Doctors in Dhaka told the Dhaka Tribune that Hadi had suffered severe brain stem damage. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was later airlifted to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on December 15 and admitted to its neurosurgical intensive care unit.
Police have launched a massive search for those behind the attack. Authorities have released photographs of two main suspects and announced a reward of five million taka, around $42,000, for information that leads to their arrest, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
Protesters, who accuse certain newspapers of supporting Indian interests in the Muslim-majority country, turned their anger on the media as well. In the chaos, two newspaper buildings were set on fire, trapping journalists and other staff members inside, as per the local media reports.