Bangladesh on Edge: Death of Uprising Leader Sparks Nationwide Unrest

Tragedy in Singapore: Uprising Leader Sharif Osman Hadi Succumbs to Injuries; Dhaka Erupts in Violence

• The Final Battle: Hadi’s Six-Day Fight for Life Ends in Singapore

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• Media Under Siege: Why Protesters Torched Prothom Alo and The Daily Star

• Yunus’s Appeal: “Patience and Restraint” Amid the Search for Assassins

• A Nation in Mourning: Half-Mast Flags and State Honors for the “Fearless Fighter”

• The “India Factor”: Anti-Conspiracy Slogans and the Growing Diplomatic Tension

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Bangladesh is reeling from a massive blow to its transitional leadership. The thing is, Sharif Osman Hadi—the face of the Inqilab Mancha and a hero of the July Uprising—died Thursday night at Singapore General Hospital.

Actually, he never stood a chance after being shot in the head by masked gunmen on December 12. Specifically, he was just starting his election campaign in Dhaka when the assassins struck.

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As a result, the news of his death acted like a match in a powder keg. Consequently, thousands of students flooded the streets of Shahbagh, turning their grief into a wave of destruction (let’s be real, the police presence was nowhere near enough to stop what happened next).

And here’s the kicker. The anger wasn’t just directed at the killers; it turned on the media too.

Basically, late Thursday night, mobs descended on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Instead of just protesting, they broke in, ransacked several floors, and set the buildings on fire. In fact, journalists were trapped on the rooftops for hours as smoke filled the stairwells. And then Y followed. The army had to be deployed just to get the fire trucks through the crowds and rescue the staff.

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Infographic timeline of the assassination attempt on Dec 12 to the death on Dec 18 and the subsequent riots

• State Mourning: Saturday, December 20, is an official day of mourning. Actually, the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country.

• The Investigation: A reward of Taka 50 lakh is out for the shooters. Specifically, police have already detained the family of the prime suspect, Foysal Karim Masud.

• Yunus’s Stance: The Chief Adviser called Hadi an “immortal soldier” and promised the state would take care of his wife and child.

• Anti-India Sentiment: Protesters are chanting that the killers fled to India. Basically, they want the border closed until suspects are handed over.

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Moreover, Muhammad Yunus took to the airwaves in a late-night televised address. Specifically, he looked visibly shaken as he urged everyone to stay calm and not fall for “propaganda.”

Actually, his government is in a tough spot. As a result, they are trying to balance the transition to the February 12 elections while the streets are literally burning. Consequently, the attack on newspapers—traditionally seen as neutral or even pro-reform—shows just how messy and unpredictable the “Inqilab” has become.

The thing is, Hadi wasn’t just a protester; he was a potential MP for Dhaka-8. In fact, his death has removed a major voice from the upcoming polls.

Basically, the Inqilab Mancha is calling this a “fascist conspiracy” by defeated forces. Instead of a tidy wrap-up, the nation is bracing for even more protests after Friday prayers. And then Y followed. Hadi’s body is expected to arrive in Dhaka this evening, which will likely trigger another massive, and potentially violent, gathering .

Also Read | Japan Hikes Rates to 30-Year High: A Shift in the “Abenomics” Legacy

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