Dhaka: Massive protests erupted across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key organiser of last year’s July uprising. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died in Singapore while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound to the head sustained earlier this month.

Singapore’s foreign ministry confirmed his death, stating that despite extensive medical intervention, Hadi succumbed to his injuries. “Despite the best efforts of the doctors…, Mr (Sharif Osman) Hadi succumbed to his injuries,” Singapore’s foreign affairs ministry, in a statement, said.

His death triggered immediate unrest, with demonstrators taking to the streets and targeting media houses and political establishments.

In Dhaka, mobs reportedly vandalised the offices of leading newspapers The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. In Rajshahi, the Awami League’s local office was set ablaze, while protests also erupted outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. Reports also emerged of a fire at the residence of former minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury. Journalists have reportedly faced threats from radical groups, particularly over interactions with Indian media outlets.

According to local media reports, protesters gathered near Shahbagh police station, raising slogans invoking Hadi’s name, asserting Bangladeshi sovereignty and calling for action against India. Earlier, Inquilab Mancha had called on citizens through a Facebook post to gather at Shahbagh, stating that if Hadi died from his injuries, the protests would be projected as a struggle to defend Bangladesh’s sovereignty and honour his martyrdom.

Sharif Osman Hadi assassination

Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants on December 12 while travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw in Dhaka’s Paltan area. He was first admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being moved to a private facility as his condition deteriorated. On December 16, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but died two days later.