Protests Erupt In Dhaka After Osman Hadi's Death, Media Offices Attacked | Video

The protests took place despite Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus urging people to remain calm and allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their work properly.

Protests erupted in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Thursday following the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, with the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star coming under violent attack in Karwanbazar.

According to local broadcaster Nagorik, a group of people gathered outside the offices shortly after midnight on Thursday and began vandalising the premises with sticks. The Daily Star building was set on fire, while flames were also seen burning on the road in front of Prothom Alo’s office. Live videos circulating on social media showed widespread vandalism, and reports said several employees were trapped inside both buildings during the attacks.

Who was Osman Hadi?

Osman Hadi was a Bangladeshi political activist and the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, a political platform that emerged prominently after the July Uprising. He was also being considered a candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming national election. He gained public attention for his role as a vocal organiser and spokesperson during protest movements and election-related activities.

Hadi had been critically injured in a gun attack in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area on  December 12, while he was campaigning for the upcoming national election. According to investigators, an assailant on a motorcycle opened fire on him from behind as he was travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw.

Hadi was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where emergency brain surgery was performed. Physicians described his condition as highly critical, stating that the bullet entered above his left ear and exited through the right side of his head, causing severe damage to the brain stem. He was later transferred to Evercare Hospital and subsequently airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died at Singapore General Hospital, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

National Mourning Announced After Activist’s Death

Following his death, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced a one-day national mourning on December 20. Addressing the nation, Yunus said the national flag would be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, as well as Bangladesh missions abroad. 

Government Assures Support To Family

Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the government would assume responsibility for the welfare of “martyr” Sharif Osman Hadi’s wife and only child.

"The government will assume responsibility for the welfare of Martyr Osman Hadi's wife and his only child. In light of the untimely death of Martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, I am declaring a one-day national day of mourning on the coming Saturday. On this occasion, the national flag will fly at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, public and private buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad on Saturday," Yunus said. 

(With ANI Inputs)