Bangladesh on Edge After Osman Hadi's Death; Protests Turn Violent, Here’s What Happened in the Last 16 Hours

Bangladesh saw widespread unrest over the past 16 hours following the death of youth leader and election candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. He died in Singapore on Thursday (December 18) after an assassination attempt last week. The situation has turned volatile just months ahead of the country’s February 2026 national elections.

But let’s understand what has happened and why Islamists have become violent. But first, let’s start by knowing Osman Hadi.

Who Was Osman Hadi

Osman Hadi, 32, was a spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, a socio-cultural platform that emerged after the July 2024 uprising. He was also an independent candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections from the Dhaka-8 constituency.

Last Friday, while launching his election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, Hadi was shot in the head by masked assailants riding a motorcycle. He was critically injured and initially treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to Singapore. After remaining on life support for six days, he died on Thursday.

Hadi was a prominent face of the 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who later fled to India. He was also a vocal critic of India. And known for its anti-India rhetoric. He also published an extended map of Bangladesh, which was a violation of India’s territorial integrity.

Also Read: Pakistan’s Opportunistic Role: Exploiting the Hadi Shooting to Reignite Old Fault Lines

Protests Erupt Across Bangladesh

Soon after news of Hadi’s death broke, violent protests erupted across several cities. Protesters raised emotionally charged slogans in Hadi’s name and demanded swift justice, while vowing to continue their movement.

The protestors became so violent that they lynched a Hindu man, hanged him and burned him. His name was Dipu Chandra Das. The video surfaced on social media, which shows the barbarity of the mob.

Media Houses Targeted

In Dhaka, offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were set on fire by angry mobs while staff members were still inside. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze at The Daily Star office under control around 1:40 am.

Rescue operations were delayed as protesters blocked roads leading to the buildings. Demonstrators accused the newspapers of being aligned with India. All staff members were eventually rescued.

Political and Cultural Sites Attacked

Meanwhile, the premises of the renowned cultural organisation Chhayanaut were vandalised and torched in the capital.

In Rajshahi, protesters used a bulldozer to demolish an Awami League party office. In several other districts, demonstrators blocked major highways, disrupting traffic and daily life.

The home of Bangladesh’s founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the father of Sheikh Hasina, was vandalised and set on fire again. The property had already been attacked twice earlier this year.

Anti-India Protests Intensify

Violence also reached Chittagong, where protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission and set fire to the house of a former Awami League education minister. Police intervened to push protesters away from the mission premises.

Additionally, demonstrators hurled stones and staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in the Khulshi area, shouting anti-India and anti-Awami League slogans.

Earlier in the week, hundreds of protesters under the banner “July Oikya” marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding Sheikh Hasina’s return from India and raising anti-India slogans.

State Mourning Declared

In response to Hadi’s death, the interim administration declared Saturday (December 20) a day of state mourning. National flags will be flown at half-mast, and special prayers will be held across the country.