The killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old political activist in Bangladesh, has triggered widespread unrest and violent protests across several major cities. Known for his strong anti-India views, Hadi was a prominent leader in the student movement that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Sri Lanka Latest News
Hadi was shot in the head by masked gunmen while campaigning in Dhaka on Friday. After sustaining critical injuries, he was admitted to intensive care in a Singapore hospital, where he died yesterday.
Following his death, thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka, expressing outrage over the killing. During the protests, demonstrators set fire to the buildings of two leading Bangladeshi newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Several employees were reportedly trapped inside the buildings when the fires erupted. The fire brigade later intervened and successfully brought the situation under control.
Protesters also set fire to the house of Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as the Awami League party office in Rajshahi, causing significant damage.
The unrest has further strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. Reports indicate that a crowd gathered in front of the Indian Deputy High Commission in Chittagong, where anti-India slogans were raised.
India has lodged a strong protest against statements made by Bangladeshi political leaders suggesting that India’s northeastern states could be separated from India, as well as against threats directed at the Indian High Commission. In response, India has issued a special advisory urging its nationals living in Bangladesh to avoid unnecessary travel.
Addressing the nation, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, described Hadi’s death as an irreparable loss to the country’s democratic journey. He alleged that the killing was a planned attack aimed at disrupting the general elections scheduled for February 12.
The government has declared the upcoming Saturday a national day of mourning in honor of Hadi. The national flag will be flown at half-mast, and a reward of five million Bangladeshi taka (approximately 42,000 US dollars) has been announced for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the killing.
