Grief grips Bangladesh as fallen student leader returns home
Bangladesh mourns as Hadi, student leader of last year’s uprising, is killed while beginning his election campaign.
Bangladesh has been plunged into fresh turmoil as violent protests swept across parts of the country following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, raising fears of deeper instability ahead of the upcoming national elections. What began as grief has rapidly transformed into anger, with streets echoing slogans, buildings damaged, and security forces placed on high alert.
Hadi, a prominent student activist during last year’s mass uprising that led to the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government, was shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last Friday. The attack took place just as he was launching his election campaign, a moment that supporters say symbolised his transition from student activism to mainstream politics. Gravely injured, Hadi was first rushed to a local hospital before being airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment. After six days on life support, he succumbed to his injuries, sending shockwaves through the nation.
News of his death sparked immediate and widespread unrest. In Dhaka, social media videos showed enraged mobs vandalising the offices of Prothom Alo, the country’s largest daily newspaper, and The Daily Star, one of its most influential English-language publications. Protesters accused sections of the media and political establishment of failing to protect voices of dissent, while others demanded swift justice for what they described as a politically motivated killing.
The atmosphere in the capital quickly grew tense. Demonstrators marched through key areas, chanting emotionally charged slogans invoking Hadi’s name and legacy. Candles, posters, and graffiti bearing his image appeared overnight, transforming public spaces into sites of collective mourning and protest. According to a report by news agency Reuters, several neighbourhoods remained volatile late into Thursday night, prompting authorities to deploy additional security forces in an effort to prevent further violence.
For many young Bangladeshis, Hadi represented more than a political figure. He was seen as a symbol of courage, a reminder of last year’s uprising driven largely by students demanding accountability, democratic reform, and an end to repression. His death has reignited unresolved anger from that movement, with protesters warning that silencing leaders will only deepen public resentment.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus responded to the crisis with a message of condolence and caution. Calling Hadi’s death an “irreplaceable loss to the nation’s political and democratic sphere,” Yunus acknowledged the emotional weight the killing has placed on the country. He assured citizens that a transparent and thorough investigation would be conducted to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. At the same time, he urged people to remain calm, stressing that further violence would only harm Bangladesh’s fragile democratic transition.
Yet, calls for restraint are competing with growing public distrust. Many protesters fear that past promises of accountability have gone unfulfilled, and they are demanding concrete action rather than statements. Civil society groups and student organisations have echoed these concerns, urging authorities to ensure the investigation is independent and free from political influence.
The unrest comes at a sensitive moment for Bangladesh, as the nation prepares for national elections meant to restore stability after months of political upheaval. Analysts warn that continued violence could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and deepen divisions at a time when unity is critical. International observers are also watching closely, concerned about press freedom following attacks on media offices and the broader implications for democratic norms.
As night fell over Dhaka, the streets remained uneasy, marked by grief, anger, and uncertainty. For many, Sharif Osman Hadi’s death is not just the loss of a young leader, but a painful reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge power. Whether his killing becomes a turning point toward accountability or another chapter of unresolved violence may shape Bangladesh’s political future in the weeks to come.