Bangladesh protests: Why anti-India slogans are being raised in Dhaka, who is Osman Hadi, who killed him? Here’s what we know so far

Bangladesh witnessed widespread unrest overnight after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key youth leader of the 2024 pro-democracy uprising. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Dhaka and other cities, demanding justice for Hadi, who died in a Singapore hospital after being shot last week. The protests included attacks on properties linked to the former ruling Awami League and attempts to march toward Indian diplomatic premises, prompting security action by police.

Bangladesh protests spread across Dhaka and other cities

Large crowds gathered in Dhaka late Thursday and early Friday as news of Hadi’s death spread. Protesters blocked roads, raised slogans, and tried to reach Indian diplomatic locations. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds near the residence of India’s deputy high commissioner after demonstrators attempted to assemble there.Also Read: Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, Bangladeshi student uprising leader succumbs to injuries after assassination attempt. Who was he?In the southwestern city of Rajshahi, protesters tried to march toward the office of a regional Indian diplomat. Police stopped the procession, and videos on social media showed stone pelting near the Indian assistant high commission office.

‘We are in war’: Anti-India slogans being raised

Members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), an offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), joined the protests. Demonstrators raised anti-India slogans and alleged that Hadi’s attackers had fled to India. Protest leaders demanded action from the interim government.

“The interim government, until India returns assassins of Hadi Bhai, the Indian High Commission to Bangladesh will remain closed. Now or Never. We are in a war!,” PTI quoted Sarjis Alm, a key leader of NCP, as saying.

Bangladesh Violence: Media offices vandalised in Dhaka

As protests escalated, several buildings in the capital were set on fire. Offices housing leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were vandalised. Fire officials confirmed at least three incidents of arson.”Several hundred demonstrators reached the Prothom Alo office around 11 pm and later surrounded the building,” PTI quoted a witness saying, adding that the protesters later set the Daily Star office on fire.

Awami League properties targeted

Violence spread beyond Dhaka as protesters torched an Awami League office in Rajshahi. Properties linked to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina were also vandalised. Hasina had fled to India after being removed from power during last year’s uprising.

Demonstrators blocked a key highway connecting Dhaka with Mymensingh and attacked the residence of a former minister in Chittagong, according to local media footage.

Who was Sharif Osman Hadi

Hadi, 32, was a senior leader of the student-led platform Inqilab Mancha and a critic of the former government. He was shot by masked assailants on December 12 while leaving a mosque in central Dhaka. After initial treatment in the city, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced care, where he died on Thursday.

Bangladesh Protest: Yunus announces state mourning

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s death as an “irreparable loss for the nation.” He announced a day of state mourning on Saturday and ordered special prayers across the country.

In a late-night address, Yunus said the national flag would fly at half-mast at all government and private institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad. He said special prayers would be held after Jummah prayers nationwide for the forgiveness of “martyr” Osman Hadi and offered condolences to Hadi’s family. He also said the government would take responsibility for the welfare of Hadi’s wife and child.

Police launch manhunt

Police launched a nationwide manhunt for the attackers and released photographs of two suspects. Authorities announced a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest and warned that continued violence could threaten the ongoing political transition.

Bangladesh Violence: India visa centres and security steps

India resumed operations at its visa application centre in Dhaka a day after suspending services due to security concerns. Two other visa centres, in Khulna and Rajshahi, remained closed.

“The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka is now operational and functioning normally,” PTI quoted an IVAC official saying.

Parliamentary panel flags uncertainty

A parliamentary committee on external affairs described the situation in Bangladesh as unstable.

“The committee has been informed that the current situation in Bangladesh is complex and evolving. There is uncertainty regarding the schedule of democratic elections. The political events of August 2024 have created significant instability and uncertainty with incidents of violence, attacks and intimidation of minorities, tribal communities, media groups, intellectuals, journalists, academicians, etc., becoming the norm,” it said in its report on India-Bangladesh relations.

The panel also raised concerns about human rights and restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly as unrest continues in the neighbouring country.