Bangladesh's capital has been rocked by violent protests and arson attacks following the death of a prominent pro-democracy youth leader. Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in the 2024 uprising, succumbed to injuries from an assassination attempt, sparking widespread unrest.
Death of a Leader Sparks National Fury
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, died in a Singapore hospital on Thursday, weeks after being shot by masked assailants outside a Dhaka mosque on 12 December. His death was announced early on Friday, prompting immediate and furious demonstrations across the country.
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka, demanding the arrest of his killers. The anger quickly turned destructive, with several buildings targeted. Authorities confirmed that the offices of Bangladesh's two leading newspapers, the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were set on fire, trapping staff inside during the attacks.
Newspapers Under Siege and Escalating Unrest
The violence against the media outlets was particularly severe. Zyma Islam, a reporter for the Daily Star, posted a desperate plea on Facebook from inside the burning building, writing, "I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me." Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 1.40am local time, but 27 employees remained trapped inside at one point.
Ahmed Deepto, another Star reporter, described taking refuge at the rear of the building while hearing protesters chant slogans outside. The protesters accused the newspapers of being aligned with neighbouring India, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—ousted in last year's uprising—has taken refuge.
The unrest was not confined to the capital. Violence was reported in several cities, including Chattogram, where protesters attacked the residence of a former minister. In Dhaka, demonstrators also surrounded the house of India’s deputy ambassador, leading police to use tear gas, and attacked Chhayanaut, a centre for Bengali culture.
A Nation in Mourning and a Hunt for Justice
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, confirmed Hadi's death and declared it an "irreparable loss." Yunus stated in a televised address that the country's march toward democracy "cannot be halted through fear, terror or bloodshed." The government announced special prayers and a half-day of mourning.
Hadi was a senior leader of the Inqilab Mancha student group and an outspoken critic of India. He was also a candidate for parliament in the upcoming February 2026 national election. Bangladeshi police have launched a manhunt, releasing photos of two suspects and offering a 5 million taka reward (approx. $42,000) for information leading to their arrest.
This turmoil unfolds as the nation of 170 million prepares for pivotal parliamentary elections in February, with the Bangladesh Nationalist party widely tipped to win following elections in 2024 that were widely decried as a sham.
