Bangladesh has witnessed heightened tension following the death of student movement leader and Inkilab Manch representative Sharif Usman Bin Hadi (32), who played a key role in the movement that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. His death has triggered widespread protests across several parts of the country, with demonstrators taking to the streets demanding justice.
According to official sources, Bin Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants on December 12 while returning from an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment by the Bangladesh government. After undergoing treatment for six days, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. The news of his death sparked violent protests, with demonstrators vandalising the Awami League party office and attacking prominent media houses, including the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which were reportedly set on fire.
Protests also spread beyond Dhaka, with demonstrators raising anti-India slogans outside the Indian High Commission in Chittagong. Protesters have alleged the involvement of foreign forces in Bin Hadi’s killing. In response to the escalating unrest, security forces have been deployed in large numbers across Dhaka and other major cities to maintain law and order.
Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences over Bin Hadi’s death and declared Saturday as a nationwide day of mourning. He appealed to the public to maintain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals in Bangladesh to remain vigilant amid the deteriorating security situation.