Large protests have broken out across Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi. He played a major role in last year’s student movement for democracy. His death has angered many and increased tensions with India. For two days, crowds have gathered in the streets demanding justice. Hadi, 32, died in a Singapore hospital from gunshot wounds he suffered last week.
Hadi, a student leader known for criticizing India, was shot by masked attackers outside a mosque in Dhaka. After his death, public sadness quickly turned into anger and action.
The situation has become tense, with people vandalizing buildings connected to news outlets viewed as supporting India. India was a key ally of Bangladesh’s previous government.
Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister who is currently in India, was recently sentenced to death while abroad. The sentence relates to her government’s response to the 2024 student uprising.
“People are here to demand that those who killed Hadi are caught quickly,” said Sajid Al Adeeb, a 20-year-old protester, speaking to AFP in Dhaka. He said the attackers are now in India, but New Delhi has not responded. “They need to arrest the people who did this,” he added. “More than anything, I want Hadi’s ideas to live on.”
Thousands of protesters marched in Dhaka, waving flags and holding signs. There were also rallies in other places, such as Gazipur, Sylhet, and Chittagong. On Thursday night, several buildings caught fire, including the offices of the Prothom Alo and Daily Star newspapers. Some people say these papers are too close to India, where Hasina went after last year’s uprising. Last year.
In Dhaka, reporters faced dangerous situations. “I can’t breathe… You’re killing me,” wrote Zyma Islam, a reporter for the Daily Star, on Facebook before firefighters arrived.
Sajjad Sharif, the executive editor at Prothom Alo, said the violence was an attack on the freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the right to have different opinions.
The interim government is led by Muhammad Yunus, an 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner. He reached out to the editors of the attacked newspapers and condemned the violence. He urged people to stand up to those causing unrest. “This is an important time in our country’s history as we work towards democracy,” a government statement said. “We can’t let a few people who love chaos and hate peace disrupt things.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the government to protect citizens and ensure those responsible for the violence are held accountable.
Tensions were already high. On Wednesday, people marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. This highlights how relations between the two countries have worsened since Hasina’s government was removed.
Hadi led the student group Inqilab Moncho. He planned to run for parliament in the national elections in February 2026. Police are searching for his attackers, sharing photos of suspects, and offering rewards for information. Yours were said at mosques everywhere, and Saturday will be a day to remember, Hadi.
