Bangladesh Declares State Mourning After Death of Youth Leader Sharif Osman Hadi
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has announced a day of state mourning on Saturday following the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prominent youth leader linked to the 2024 uprising. Hadi died in Singapore after succumbing to injuries sustained in an assassination attempt earlier this month.
In a late-night address, Yunus said the national flag would be flown at half-mast across government offices, educational institutions, public buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad. Special prayers will be held after Friday prayers nationwide, with similar observances at places of worship of other faiths.
Hadi’s death has triggered widespread unrest in Dhaka. Protesters blocked the busy Shahbagh intersection, disrupting traffic and demanding justice. Slogans calling for accountability echoed across the capital as anger mounted over the killing. Offices of leading daily Prothom Alo were also vandalised amid rising tensions.
Hadi, a spokesperson of Inquilab Manch and a prospective independent candidate from Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 in Purana Paltan. After initial treatment in Dhaka, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced care, where he later died.
The unrest has also coincided with anti-India protests, prompting heightened security and temporary closure of some Indian visa centres in Bangladesh.
Our Final Thoughts
The death of Sharif Osman Hadi has intensified political instability in Bangladesh at an already fragile moment. The scale of protests reflects deep public anger and unresolved tensions following last year’s upheaval. As the interim government navigates calls for justice, rising unrest and strained regional ties, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether stability can be restored or further unrest unfolds.