Violence and unrest have erupted across Bangladesh after the death of prominent student leader and election candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was shot in the head by masked assailants on December 12, 2025, while launching his election campaign in Dhaka. He was initially rushed to a hospital in the capital, where doctors described his condition as extremely critical, then he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment.

After battling for his life for six days, Hadi died on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at a hospital in Singapore. The interim government confirmed his death late Thursday night, triggering widespread grief and anger across the country.

In a televised address to the nation, interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced a one-day state mourning and vowed swift justice, warning that no leniency would be shown to those responsible for the attack. Calling for calm, Yunus urged citizens to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to conduct a professional and transparent investigation.

Protests intensified late Thursday night, with demonstrators vandalising and setting fire to the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Clashes were reported in several areas, and protesters also hurled stones at the Indian mission in Chattogram, according to local media. Security forces were deployed across major cities as authorities moved to contain the unrest.

Mobs vandalised the offices of major Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka as widespread protests erupted across the country. Responding to the escalating violence, interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm, urging citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Police launched a nationwide hunt for the gunmen behind the attack, releasing photographs of two prime suspects and announcing a reward of five million taka (about $42,000) for information leading to their arrest.

In Chattogram, protesters staged a sit-in outside the office of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Around 1:30 am, some demonstrators hurled bricks and stones at the residence, but no damage was reported.

Security forces, including the army, were deployed outside the Commission to prevent further unrest and ensure the safety of the premises.

Protesters once again vandalised Dhanmondi 32, the ancestral home of Bangladesh’s founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, attempting to demolish what remained of the structure and setting fire to a poster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Offices of the Awami League across the country were reportedly attacked as well.

The violence erupted amid nationwide protests over the death of Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with demonstrators also calling on Indian authorities to hand over Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death last month.

The body of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July 2024 uprising, is scheduled to be brought back to Bangladesh on Friday evening, December 19, 2025, according to reports.

Violence and unrest have erupted across the country following Hadi’s death. He was shot in the head by masked assailants on December 12, 2025, while launching his election campaign in Dhaka. Initially treated at a hospital in the capital, Hadi was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical care, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Islamist protesters vandalised the offices of Chhayanaut, a prominent institution dedicated to Bengali culture in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, and set parts of the premises on fire.

The attack left the site in ruins, with musical instruments and artworks destroyed and scattered across the premises. The incident underscores rising tensions in Bangladesh, where cultural institutions have increasingly come under threat amid ongoing political unrest.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a leader of the student group Inquilab Mancha, which has distanced itself from the violent protests in Bangladesh. In a statement shared on social media, the group urged people to hold protests and marches in their respective areas to demand that the killers be arrested and brought to justice, while strictly avoiding violence.

The statement also noted that after Jumma prayers, mosques and other places of worship across Bangladesh were calling on citizens to pray for the soul of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

The interim government of Bangladesh chief advisor strongly condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, who was attacked by a mob over allegations of insulting Islam. In a statement, the government urged citizens to resist all forms of mob violence and reaffirmed that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would not be spared.

Highlighting the country’s ongoing democratic transition, the statement stressed that the upcoming elections and referendum are a solemn national commitment, and honoring the memory of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi requires restraint and rejection of hatred.

The government also expressed support for journalists of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, and New Age, condemning attacks on media workers as attacks on truth and pledging full justice. Citizens were called upon to reject violence, incitement, and hatred in this critical period for the nation.

According to the student group, the plane carrying Sharif Osman Hadi is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by 6 pm. His funeral in Bangladesh will be held on Saturday after Zohr prayers at Manik Mia Avenue.

Violent protests have intensified in Bangladesh, as reports of a Hindu man beaten to death by a mob, came to light. Dipu Chandra Das, a local garland factory worker, was dragged to the streets and beaten to death by a mob, according to a report.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh, reacting to the violent protests in Bangladesh that left at least four people injured, described the incident as deeply tragic and troubling. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Singh said the violence was particularly concerning in light of frequent claims about secularism, adding that such incidents raise serious questions and warrant careful reflection. 

"This is a tragic event. It is especially concerning for those who frequently speak about secularism within India. Such incidents raise serious questions and should be reflected upon carefully," singh said.

Referring to the unrest outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, where protesters allegedly hurled bricks and vandalised the premises following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, Singh underscored the need to view the developments with seriousness, especially given the involvement of extremist elements and the impact on India’s diplomatic interests in the region.

(Inputs from IANS)

The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh announced on social media that the body of martyr Osman Hadi has arrived in Bangladesh. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-585) carrying his body landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka from Singapore at 5:48 pm on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) has strongly condemned the recent attacks on journalists, editors, and media houses in Bangladesh, calling the violence an assault on press freedom and the public’s right to information. The coalition urged authorities to ensure the safety of media professionals and conduct swift, impartial investigations to hold those responsible accountable.

The criticism follows attacks on media outlets after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. In a joint statement shared by several diplomatic missions in Dhaka, including the German Embassy, MFC member countries said such intimidation is unacceptable and undermines democratic values and the rule of law.

The UN human rights spokesperson urged the authorities to conduct a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation into the attack that resulted in the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a key figure in last year’s protests in Bangladesh. The spokesperson also called on all sides to refrain from violence, warning that retaliation and revenge could deepen divisions and harm democratic rights amid an already tense protest environment.

Bangladesh will hold the funeral of youth leader Shaheed Osman Hadi on December 20, 2025, Saturday amid tight security, following nationwide unrest triggered by his death. Bangladesh’s interim government said that the funeral prayer will be held at 2:00 pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. The timing was revised from an earlier announcement of 2:30 pm.

Authorities have imposed strict security measures for the event. Flying drones in and around the Parliament complex (Sangsad Bhaban) has been completely prohibited, and attendees have been asked not to carry bags or heavy objects.

Meanwhile, Inquilab Morcha on social media shared that, following the family’s request, it has been decided to bury Shaheed Osman Hadi near the grave of poet Nazrul. The group also stated that the funeral prayer will be held after Zuhr at Manik Mia Avenue

The Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has confirmed that seven people have been arrested in connection with the beating to death of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh.

On December 20, 2025, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-14) arrested seven suspects during raids at multiple locations in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das (27), was reportedly beaten to death earlier this week.

Authorities said further investigation is underway.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday strongly condemned the brutal mob killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling the incident “extremely disturbing.” She said that violence and murder based on religion, caste, or identity are crimes against humanity and have no place in a civilised society. Urging action, she asked the Indian government to take cognisance of the rising attacks on Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities in neighbouring countries and raise concerns about their safety with the Bangladeshi authorities.

Large crowds gathered in Dhaka on Saturday for the funeral of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who died from gunshot injuries earlier this month. His death has sparked widespread protests across Bangladesh and intensified political tensions as the country heads toward national elections.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attended the funeral prayers at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, where he addressed mourners. Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s protest movement, had emerged as a symbol of youth activism in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has witnessed another mob killing of a Hindu man, intensifying concerns over the safety of religious minorities amid continuing political and social unrest in the country. According to NDTV, citing local media reports, the latest incident occurred in Rajbari district’s Pangsha upazila, where 29-year-old Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death by a group of locals late on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

A concert by iconic Bangladeshi rock musician James was called off on Friday night, December 26, 2025, after a mob attacked the venue in Faridpur, Bangladesh. The incident left nearly 25 people injured, including 15–20 students. The violence was triggered when a group of people attempted to force their way into the concert venue after being denied entry. They then began pelting stones and bricks at the stage even before the performance began, effectively hijacking the concert.