Violence has once again erupted in Bangladesh after the murder of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi. 32-year-old Hadi was shot by masked assailants riding a bike during the election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. After this incident on 12 December, he was taken to Singapore for treatment, where he died on the intervening night of 18-19 December.
After this, violence started in Bangladesh and Hadi’s radical supporters created chaos at many places across the country. Hadi’s political career in Bangladesh progressed rapidly after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power last year. He made many anti-India statements and pushed the agenda of fundamentalism.
Shortly before the attack, Hadi had posted a controversial Facebook map of ‘Greater Bangladesh’ consisting of parts of eastern India. Because of which people are also linking this attack with India and anti-India slogans are being raised in the demonstrations.
The mob killed a Hindu
Angered by Hadi’s death, the mob created a ruckus in many parts of the country including the capital Dhaka. The mob set fire to the Awami League office in Mymensingh and beat Dipu Chandra Das to death. After the murder of a Hindu man, questions have once again arisen regarding minority security in Bangladesh. There is strong protest against this murder in India.
The interim government of Bangladesh on Friday strongly condemned the lynching of a Hindu man and appealed to the people to exercise restraint. A statement issued by the office of Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus said, “We strongly condemn the incident in Mymensingh in which a Hindu man was beaten to death. There is no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh. Anyone involved in this brutal crime will not be spared.”
Newspaper office set on fire in Dhaka
In the country’s capital, an angry mob vandalized Sheikh Mujib’s house after his death in the early hours of 19 December, besides they set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star newspapers and also attacked journalists. After Hadi’s death, the head of the interim government, Mohammad Yunus, addressed the nation and described Hadi as a fearless frontline fighter and vowed to defeat fascist terrorists.
Stone pelting at Indian Embassy
The uncontrollable crowd also demonstrated outside the Indian Embassy and tried to enter the embassy. Pinak Ranjan Chakraborty (former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh) has given information about the incident of stone pelting at the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh. Some supporters of Hadi believe that the attackers have fled to India and the Indian government is helping them.
Apart from this, protesters have also created ruckus in the big city of Bangladesh, Chittagong. The residence of former minister Bir Bahadur Singh was vandalized.
UN statement on Bangladesh violence
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi and urged authorities to ensure accountability. Guterres also appealed for peace and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid violence, reduce tensions and maintain a peaceful election environment. Let us tell you that the Unis Administration has announced to hold parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on 12 February 2026.
#Bangladesh: We call on the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough & transparent investigation into the attack that led to the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prominent leader of last years demonstrations.
Everyone should refrain from violence. Retaliation & pic.twitter.com/In5w5l6IwF
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) December 19, 2025
Hadi will be buried today
Dhaka University Central Students Union (DAXU) Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Fatima Tasneem Zuma said on Friday that Inquilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Usman Hadi will be buried next to national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as per the wishes of his family. According to the report of Dhaka Tribune, Inquilab Manch workers will gather in Shahbagh of Dhaka. Also, the government has instructed those attending the burial not to bring any suspicious thing with them.
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