Bangladesh: Violence Following the Death of a Student Revolt Leader in Singapore

Violence erupted in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, on Friday morning after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the 2024 student uprising, in a Singapore hospital. He had been injured in an assassination attempt on Monday. Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the arrest of his killers after the announcement of his death at 32 years old.

The government reported that Hadi was evacuated to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries. "Despite the efforts of the doctors, Mr. Hadi succumbed to his wounds," stated the Foreign Ministry in a press release.

Masked individuals had opened fire on Hadi in Dhaka on December 15. He suffered severe facial injuries and was transported to Singapore for medical care.

In Dhaka, protesters set several fires, including one at the Daily Star building and another at the Prothom Alo office, according to Md Anwarul Islam, a spokesperson for the city's fire and civil defense services. Both newspapers are among the most influential in the country, but demonstrators accuse them of aligning with neighboring India.

Zyma Islam, a journalist at the Daily Star, reported being trapped inside the burning building, stating, "I can't breathe. There's too much smoke. I'm stuck inside. You're killing me," on her Facebook page. The fire at the Daily Star building was extinguished at 1:40 AM local time, but 27 employees were still inside.

"We took refuge at the back of the building and could hear the protesters chanting slogans," said Ahmed Deepto, another journalist at the Star.

New Delhi supports former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted last year due to student protests. Protesters also blocked a highway and attacked the residence of a former minister in Chittagong, according to local TV reports. They also targeted Chhayanaut, a Dhaka center dedicated to Bengali culture.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent figure in the student revolt against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 and was running for election in the February 12, 2026, legislative elections, the first since Hasina's fall in August 2024 after weeks of deadly protests. Over 127 million voters will select 350 MPs and vote on reforms aimed at strengthening democracy.

The political situation has remained tense in Bangladesh since Hasina's downfall, as her party, the Awami League, has been banned by authorities. Hadi is regarded as an opponent of India, where Hasina, known as the "Iron Begum," lives in exile. Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia last month for ordering security forces to shoot at crowds in 2024, a charge she has vehemently denied. According to the UN, the riots resulted in at least 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians.

In paying tribute to Sharif Osman Hadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who has led the government since summer 2024, stated in a televised address that "his passing is an irreplaceable loss for the nation." He added, "The country's march toward democracy cannot be halted by fear, terror, or bloodshed."