Nationwide mourning, protests erupt following death of Hadi

The death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson and convener of Inqilab Mancha—a prominent platform born from Bangladesh's 2024 July Uprising—has plunged the nation into grief and sparked widespread protests.

Hadi, a vocal critic of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and perceived Indian influence, succumbed to gunshot injuries on December 18, 2025, while undergoing treatment in a Singapore hospital.

He had been shot in the head by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on December 12.

News of his passing triggered immediate outrage, with mourning processions and rallies continuing late into the night across Dhaka and other cities.

Students and citizens remained in shock until the early hours, as protests demanding justice and accountability gained momentum.

In Dhaka University, students organised multiple mourning processions starting around 10:30 pm on Thursday. One procession from the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) and Hall areas converged at Raju Memorial Sculpture, drawing participation from Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) leaders, including Vice President Sadiq Kayem and General Secretary SM Farhad. Students from Dhaka Alia and Qawmi madrasas also joined, with many visibly emotional and in tears.

A separate procession, led by Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, marched from TSC to Shahbagh. Key figures present included former anti-discrimination student movement coordinator Abdul Quader, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan, General Secretary Abu Baker Majumder, and Dhaka University unit President Tahmeed Al Mudassir Chowdhury.

At the Raju Sculpture rally, July Unity organiser and DUCSU Social Service Secretary AB Zubair expressed profound shock, noting that Hadi had repeatedly raised concerns about his safety without adequate response.

He demanded accountability for those involved and called for an impartial probe into how individuals with prior criminal allegations could operate freely. Zubair also questioned the role of law enforcement.

Around midnight, National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam joined the Shahbagh procession, delivering fiery slogans including, "My brother gave his life, murderers have no protection; people stop Indian aggression; I have given blood, I will give more blood; compromise or struggle, power or people; who are you, who am I—Hadi, Hadi; if you give one Hadi blood, lakhs of Hadi will be born; slavery or freedom, Delhi or Dhaka; take the League and put them in jail."

Former adviser Asif Mahmud had arrived earlier in Shahbagh.

At Jagannath University, students staged a protest march from the main gate around 10:45 pm, demanding a swift trial for Hadi's killers. Participants included general students and activists from groups like Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Shakti, and the Left Alliance.

In Uttara, July uprising fighters protested at Shaheed Mugda Mancha.

In Chattogram, a group of youths gathered around 11:30 pm outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in the Khulshi area, chanting anti-Awami League and anti-India slogans in response to Hadi's death. Police later dispersed the crowd.

Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi's death in a televised address, declaring a day of state mourning and urging calm amid escalating unrest.