Bangladesh Protests Highlights: Muhammad Yunus's effigy burnt in Bengal over Hindu man's lynching

A floor in-charge of the factory where Dipu Das was employed has been arrested for allegedly handing him over to a mob instead of the police, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) official said. According to the officer, the floor in-charge forced Das to resign and then delivered him to the mob, failing to ensure his safety. Two factory employees have been arrested in the case for not handing the accused over to the police and not protecting him, while cases have also been registered against 150 unidentified persons, the official added.

 Protesting against the alleged ongoing atrocities and systematic persecution of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, the Bangiya Hindu Manch organized a torchlight procession at the Venus More intersection in Siliguri on Saturday. During the demonstration, protesters also burned an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh Interim Government.

Bangla Pokkho, a local Bengali pro advocacy organization, staged a protest at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kolkata, demanding action against atrocities on minority Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest turned violent as clashes broke out between the police and protesters, led by Garga Chattopadhyay, General Secretary of Bangla Paksha.

Almost 50 years after rebel Bangla poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was laid to rest near the Dhaka University mosque in 1976, Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to an assassin's bullets, was buried beside the Bangladesh national poet. Dhaka turned into a sea of people on Saturday. Read more

UN Secretary-General AntOnio Guterres has urged all parties in Bangladesh to exercise restraint, reduce tensions, and avoid violence ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for February. The Secretary-General made the statement during a regular briefing at UN Headquarters. 

He condemned the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi and called on Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation in line with international human rights standards.

An agitated crowd marched towards the Bangladesh Parliament in Dhaka following the funeral of Osman Hadi on Saturday. Security forces intervened, stopped the march and dispersed the protesters to prevent any escalation of the situation, officials said.

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshi mourners, including the country's interim government leader, attended the funeral on Saturday of a slain youth leader and election candidate amid tight security.

Abdullah Al Jaber, a colleague of Osman Hadi from Inquilab Mancha, on Friday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Muhammad Yunus-led government. He demanded that the government publicly disclose within the next 24 hours what measures have been taken to identify and arrest those responsible for Hadi’s killing.

Addressing a large gathering at Osman Hadi’s funeral, Bangladesh interim chief Muhammad Yunus said people across Bangladesh and the diaspora were united in remembering him, adding that Hadi would live on in the nation’s heart as long as Bangladesh exists. Praising his humility, grace and ability to connect with people, Yunus said these values would guide efforts to raise the country’s political culture, vowing to keep their head held high before the world and fulfil the promise Hadi made to the people.

Drone shot of the crowd at the janaza of Osman Hadi at the Bangladesh parliament premesis.

Dr Yunus described Sharif Osman Hadi as a voice of conviction and commitment, whose ideals and contributions had left a lasting imprint on public life. He said Hadi’s work and sacrifices would remain a source of inspiration for those striving for justice and change.

Political leaders, activists and supporters gathered at the funeral to pay their final respects, remembering Hadi for his role as spokesperson of Inqilab Manch and his engagement in national discourse. The Chief Adviser also extended his condolences to Hadi’s family, friends and colleagues, and prayed for the departed soul.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Saturday paid tribute to Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, saying his legacy would continue to inspire the nation for generations to come.

Speaking at Hadi’s funeral at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday afternoon, Dr Yunus said the late leader would never be forgotten. “Hadi, you will not be lost. No one will ever forget you. You will remain with us for generations,” he said.

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad on Saturday condemned the lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling the killing a brutal act that shames the values of a civilised society. He urged the Indian government to raise atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh at the highest diplomatic level and to adopt a clear, firm and decisive stance to ensure the protection of human rights and international law. 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed shock over the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, describing it as an "unbearably tragic incident" and questioning what steps the Muhammad Yunus-led government is taking to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"An unbearably tragic incident amid the mob rule that is raging across Bangladesh. While mourning the loss of this poor Hindu man at the hands of unspeakable criminals, I appreciate the condemnation issued by the Government of Bangladesh, but must ask them what they are doing to punish the murderers, and what steps they are taking to ensure that such incidents do not recur?" Tharoor asked in a post on X.

Thousands gathered at Dhaka's Shahbagh on Friday, blending grief with protest, to demand justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, the Inqilab Mancha spokesperson whose death has sparked national outrage. Students, activists, and citizens from across the city united to mourn Hadi and press for a transparent investigation into his killing, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday cut short his London trip and returned to Dhaka to attend the funeral of radical student leader Osman Hadi whose death has triggered a spree of violence in Bangladesh. Rahman paid homage to Hadi's body, which has been kept at the National Heart Institute mortuary.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday expressed concern over the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and asked what the Indian government is doing to safeguard the interests of minorities in the neighbouring country. In a post on X, Chaturvedi also sought clarity on whether the Ministry of External Affairs had issued any formal condemnation.

Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven people in connection with the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh district on Friday, the interim government said. According to the statement, the victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death in the incident. RAB-14 carried out operations at multiple locations and arrested the suspects. Those arrested have been identified as Md. Limon Sarkar (19), Md. Tarek Hossain (19), Md. Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38), and Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46).

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, condemning targetted mob attacks and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which he said amounted to an assault on press freedom and the foundations of a pluralistic society.

Lieutenant General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-Chief of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, visited the Belonia border outpost in South Tripura district to assess the situation along the India-Bangladesh border. He was accompanied by several senior military officers during the visit, officials said, as the army reviewed security measures and preparedness along the frontier.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan condemned the brutal killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling it a "demonic act" that shames the 21st century. In a post on X, Kalyan expressed grief for the loss and offered condolences to the family.

Bangladesh's largest English daily, Daily Star, on Thursday described the attack on its office as a "Black Day for Journalism", condemning the violence and fire that targeted its premises on Thursday. The newspaper provided minute-by-minute updates of the unfolding events, asserting that such intimidation would neither scare nor silence them.

The attacks erupted soon after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced the death of radical student leader Osman Hadi. Protesters took to the streets, targeting media outlets and government-linked institutions. Offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star were attacked, the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka was vandalised with hammers, and an office of the now-disbanded Awami League, formerly led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was demolished in Rajshahi city.

China on Friday said it hoped that Bangladesh will conduct safe, stable and orderly elections, as the country grapples with political turmoil ahead of parliamentary polls scheduled for February 12, 2026.

"China wishes Bangladesh safe, stable, and smooth elections and believes that various sectors of Bangladesh will properly advance important political agendas and uphold national solidarity and stability," Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said.

The United Nations on Friday called on the authorities to carry out a swift, impartial, comprehensive and transparent investigation into the attack that resulted in the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, stressing the need for due process and accountability.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk also appealed for restraint, urging people to stay away from violence. "Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all," he said. 

Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Friday visited several border areas, including Boxanagar, amid the evolving situation in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Senior officials of the Border Security Force accompanied the Governor during the visit. He reviewed security arrangements and assessed the preparedness of forces deployed along the international border, officials said.

Priyanka Gandhi expressed deep concern over the brutal mob killing of Hindu youth Deepu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling it alarming. She emphasized that violence, discrimination, or murder based on religion, caste, or identity is a crime against humanity. Gandhi urged the Indian government to address the growing attacks on Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities in Bangladesh and raise the issue of their safety with the Bangladeshi authorities.

UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Lawrence urged people in Bangladesh to avoid violence, warning that revenge will deepen divisions. He expressed concern over the killing of July Movement leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

Sharif Osman Hadi’s funeral prayer will take place at 2 pm Saturday at the Parliament’s South Plaza. His body arrived in Dhaka Friday evening from Singapore via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Bangladesh's leader Sharif Osman Hadi will be buried next to the country's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on Saturday at his family's request, Inqilab Mancha said in a social media post.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the death of Dipu Chandra Das, Hindu man lynched in Bangladesh, offering prayers for his soul and condemning violence against minorities. In a post on X, Kalyan said history remembers sacrifice, but lamented that land once liberated with Indian blood was now witnessing the killing of innocent minorities.

In view of the current situation in Bangladesh, all police stations in Kolkata have been placed on alert to ensure security in the city. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said strict monitoring and intensified patrolling will continue, especially in view of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh after the US Embassy in Dhaka issued a nationwide security advisory, urging its citizens to avoid large gatherings and protest sites amid fears that peaceful demonstrations could turn violent. The advisory comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with the return of the mortal remains of Osman Hadi to Dhaka from Singapore, with prayers and protests scheduled to begin from 2 pm on Saturday.

The prayer meeting for Osman Haider will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Authorities have advised people not to carry bags or heavy items to the venue. It has also been announced that flying drones in and around the Parliament House area during this period is completely prohibited.

The mortal remains of youth leader Osman Hadi reached Dhaka airport on Friday, according to sources. Further arrangements are being made for the next proceedings.

The US Embassy in Dhaka has said media reports indicate that the body of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi will arrive in Dhaka at 6:05 pm on Friday, December 19, with his funeral prayer expected to be held at Manik Mia Avenue in front of the National Parliament Building after Dhuhr prayer on Saturday, December 20. 

Bangladesh’s Culture Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Faruquee said authorities are identifying every individual involved in the attack and looting at Chhayanaut Bhaban using CCTV camera footage. He added that necessary measures are being taken against those found responsible.

A photo and the last known video of Dipu Chandra Das have surfaced following his death in Bangladesh. The video, reportedly recorded moments before he died, shows Das surrounded by a mob in Bhaluka area of Mymensingh district, according to sources.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on the protests in Bangladesh said India was concerned about “irresponsible elements” making provocative statements, including claims about separating India’s seven northeastern states. 

The remains of Sharif Osman Hadi, the Bangladesh student leader who succumbed to injuries at a Singapore hospital, will be repatriated today. It is expected to reach Dhaka tonight.

Journalists and staff of Bangladesh's leading newspapers returned to vandalised newsrooms on Friday morning, many visibly shaken after violent attacks on media offices during the ongoing unrest in the country. Read here.

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on Friday strongly condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, asserting that there is no place for communal hatred or mob violence in what it described as a "New Bangladesh". In a statement, the government said "no one involved in the brutal killing would be spared" and assured strict action against those responsible. It also urged citizens to remain vigilant against violence instigated by what it called isolated terrorist groups seeking to destabilise the country.

The interim administration also issued a warning against arson, vandalism, fear-mongering and destruction of property, cautioning forces attempting to create chaos and disrupt Bangladesh's democratic transition.

BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday raised concerns over the violence in Bangladesh, alleging a pattern of attacks driven by Islamist extremism.

"Last night, Islamist mobs vandalised Chhayanaut Bhavan, a historic institution and a cornerstone of Bengali arts and culture in Dhaka. The pattern unfolding in Bangladesh is unmistakable: attacks on media houses, journalists, and cultural centres, carried out under Islamist pressure and intimidation. This is a warning. This is exactly how societies unravel when extremism is appeased and lawlessness is normalised. It is also why the trajectory of West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee is deeply worrying. Years of political patronage, erosion of institutions, and selective silence have pushed Bengal onto a dangerous path. If Mamata Banerjee’s decrepit regime continues beyond 2026, the consequences for Bengal will be irreversible. Culture, free expression, and democracy cannot survive where mobs rule and the state looks away," Malviya said in a post on X.

Security has been stepped up outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi following a deterioration in the situation in the neighbouring country. The move came amid a rise in protests outside Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, prompting authorities in India to strengthen the security cordon around the Bangladeshi mission in the capital.

As anti-India protests rage across Bangladesh on land, tensions are also flaring at sea. Over the past two months, an unusual pattern has grabbed the attention of India - an increasing number of Bangladeshi fishing vessels crossing into Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal. Read here.

A journalist trapped inside the blazing media offices in riot-hit Bangladesh recounted terrifying scenes as smoke filled the buildings and fire and debris blocked the exits. Zyma Islam, a reporter for The Daily Star, posted a desperate plea on her Facebook account from inside: "I can't breathe anymore. There's too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me".

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voiced disappointment over recent violent protests in Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations.

"I am very disappointed by this news coming from Bangladesh. The Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament just issued a report in which we urged the government to engage constructively with the government of Bangladesh and try to move relations to a stable level. This is a relation we have a great stake in, after all we were instrumental in freedom of Bangladesh in 1971 and after all these years, we can't suddenly abandon the people of Bangladesh. At the same time the kind of hostility that is being drummed up against Indians, against people who deemed to be on the Indian side is very worrying," Tharoor said.

Amid the ongoing nationwide protests in Bangladesh over radical student leader Osman Hadi's death, Rajya Sabha MP and career diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla cautioned that recent unrest in the neighbouring country appeared to be linked to the upcoming elections in February.

"There seems to be some escalation, which can be attributed to upcoming elections likely in February. Elements exploiting minority anti-India sentiment are trying to promote their own interests," Shringla said while speaking to news agency PTI.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), a prominent offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) that spearheaded the July Uprising, asked India to return the assassins of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who recently died during treatment in Singapore. The party also declared to be in a state of war with India.

"Until India returns the assassins of Hadi Bhai, the Indian High Commission to Bangladesh will remain closed. Now or Never. We are in a war!" said Sarjis Alm, a key NCP leader.

Asif Bin Ali, geo-political analyst, while speaking to India Today TV, said that the situation in Bangladesh is more complex than what it appeared to be. "Our situation is more complex than what we are seeing right now. What we are going through is a strong force working within the country to destabalise the country," he said.

The office of Chhayanaut, an institution devoted to Bengali culture in Bangladesh, was attacked last night by protesters angry over the death of radical student leader Osman Hadi. Chhayanaut's main office in Dhanmondi was vandalised and set on fire.

The US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday offered condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of radicalised student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, expressing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in their grief over his death.

Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were not published on Friday, following the attack and arson by the protesters. Their online operations have also nearly come to a halt.

"Due to a large-scale attack, vandalism, and arson at the Prothom Alo office last night, it has not been possible to maintain normal operations. As a result, today’s printed edition of Prothom Alo could not be published. Its online portal is also temporarily unavailable," Prothom Alo said in a statement.

Protesters in Bangladesh’s capital stormed the headquarters of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, setting the buildings on fire and carrying out extensive vandalism. Read full report here. 

The body of prominent July Uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital after fighting for his life for six days, is scheduled to be brought back to Bangladesh by this evening. He was shot in the head last week by masked gunmen as he initiated his election campaign in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.

BJP in Bengal condemns lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh over blasphemy claims. "Whether in West Bengal under Mamata or in Bangladesh under Yunus, they were killed because they were Hindu," it tweeted.

The 32-year-old Sharif Osman Hadi was a leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, and also a candidate in the announced February 12 general elections. Read here

A Hindu man named Dipu Chandra Das has been lynched in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district over blasphemy allegations amid massive unrest in the country. According to police, a group of people accused Das, a garment factory worker who resided in the district as a tenant, of making obscene remarks about Prophet Muhammad and attacked him at around 9 pm. Read more

A key meeting is being held by Bangladesh Army Major General Jahangir Alam, who is Home Advisor to the interim government. The government has also called a meeting with the leaders who were involved in the July protests.

Veteran Bangladeshi journalist Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, was attacked by an angry mob as protests erupted after the death of Osman Hadi, triggering widespread unrest and vandalism across Bangladesh. 

As Bangladesh grapples with another violent unrest following the death of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, is reportedly planning to return to the country on December 25 ahead of the general elections. According to Prothom Alo, Rahman has applied for a travel pass at the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Rehman has been living in exile in London. 

Angry mobs, enraged over the death of youth leader Osman Hadi, vandalised and set fire to the Dhanmondi 32 ancestral residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, late last night. Several offices and homes of Awami League leaders were also attacked and set ablaze. Rahman's home was vandalised and set on fire in February this year during a live address of his daughter and deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In Bangladesh, an angry mob vandalised and set fire to the premises of Bengali cultural organisation Chhayanaut in Dhaka after news of the death of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi came to light. In a video circulating online, the mob can be heard shouting "Allahu Akbar" while attacking the institute, a key center for the promotion of arts and culture in the country.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has mourned the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. In a Facebook post, he described Hadi's killing as 'tragic' and requested the Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government to punish the perpetrators.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. May Allah grant forgiveness to his soul. This untimely death is a grave reminder of the human cost of political violence. I also call upon the interim government to conduct a swift investigation, with the utmost priority, so that perpetrators are apprehended, punished, and justice is served," Rehman said in his post.

Amid rising tensions in Bangladesh's Rajshahi following the death of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a local Awami League office was bulldozed. Eyewitnesses reported that protesters brought a bulldozer to the party's Kumarpara office around 1.30 am on Friday (IST) and started demolishing the building.

Supporters of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi, along with Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) and other DU-based student groups, held a sit-in at Shahbagh, demanding justice for his murder, according to Dhaka Tribune.

Eyewitnesses reported that protesters assembled near the Raju Memorial Sculpture, raising slogans calling for punishment of Hadi’s killers. Security barricades were placed on both sides of the road, but traffic in surrounding areas of Shahbagh continued uninterrupted. Police remained on high alert to ensure law and order.

Visuals have emerged showing the charred remains of The Daily Star office in Dhaka after protesters set the building on fire.

Bangladesh has seen fresh unrest following the death of Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of protests against Sheikh Hasina. Amid the violence, two newspaper offices in the capital were torched. The buildings housing The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, the country's two leading newspapers, were both set ablaze.

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday declared Saturday, December 20, 2025, as a national day of mourning after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha.

In an address to the nation, Yunus said the national flag would be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh's missions abroad. He added that special prayers would be offered after Jummah prayers on Friday, December 19, seeking forgiveness for Hadi's soul.

Bangladesh interim chief Muhammad Yunus has called a high-level meeting in Dhaka this afternoon to review the law and order situation following the death of Osman Hadi and the violence that has spread across the country.

At least 25 journalists from The Daily Star were rescued from the newspaper’s Dhaka office more than four hours after a mob stormed the premises in the Kawran Bazar area, BD News reported. The attackers descended on the English-language daily’s office shortly after midnight on Friday.

The Fire Service later said the blaze at The Daily Star office was brought under control around 1:40 am, according to BBC Bangla.

The office Prothom Alo was also attacked and vandalised around midnight, with parts of the buildings set on fire during the violence.

Protests continued on Friday, with demonstrators staging a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission to demand justice over the killing of Osman Hadi.

In Chattogram, the demonstrators gathered near the mission’s Khulshi office around 11 pm on Thursday, shouting slogans against the Awami League and India. Police said protesters also assembled at a nearby gate before officers intervened and pushed the crowd away from the premises.

The former home of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 area was vandalised on Thursday following news of the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, police said.

Dhanmondi Police Station officer-in-charge Md Saiful Islam told BBC Bangla that the historic building, later converted into a museum, was attacked in the afternoon. Parts of the structure were damaged and set on fire, leaving it largely in ruins.

Local media reporter excavators were later brought in and used to demolish sections of the building as tensions flared in the area.

Prothom Alo and The Daily Star will not publish their print editions on Friday, and their online operations were also largely suspended, following attacks on their offices, officials said.

Senior officials from both newspapers told BBC Bangla around midnight on Thursday that operations had been halted due to security concerns after vandalism and arson at their premises. They said employees were instructed to leave the offices immediately as the situation escalated.

With staff evacuated and damage to property still being assessed, management decided to temporarily suspend all editorial and operational activities. Both outlets said publication and digital services would remain on hold until conditions were deemed safe to resume work.

Journalists from Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have accused police of failing to act as their offices came under attack, while law enforcement officials said they were preparing to shut down the situation.

Staff members from both newspapers alleged that police were present at the scene during the assaults but did not intervene to stop the attackers. Speaking to BBC Bangla, journalists said officers “stood by and watched” as the violence unfolded and made no serious effort to prevent the vandalism.

The offices of the two leading national dailies were attacked around midnight on Thursday. The incidents involved extensive damage to property, with parts of the buildings vandalised and set on fire.

Amid continuing unrest, Inqilab Moncho said in a Facebook post that it was urging people to organise protests and marches in their own areas to demand the arrest of those responsible for the killing of Osman Hadi, while calling on supporters to refrain from violence.

Amid the ongoing violent protests, Inqilab Moncho said in a post on Facebook: "Even if the murderer is in hell, he must be dragged out and produced before us. We will, together with the people of Bangladesh, avoid violence and build all-out resistance."

Bangladeshi police are conducting a manhunt for Osman Hadi’s attackers, releasing photographs of two key suspects and offering a reward of five million taka (about $42,000) for information.

The mortal remains of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho is expected to be brought back to Bangladesh on Friday evening, according to the organisation.

In a Facebook post on early Friday, Inqilab Moncho said Hadi’s body would be flown to Dhaka on a Bangladesh Airlines commercial flight scheduled to depart Singapore at around 3:50 pm (local time). The flight is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at about 6:05 pm (Bangladesh time).

The organisation said Hadi’s first namaz-e-janaza would be held on Friday morning at Angullia Mosque in Singapore. A second funeral prayer is scheduled for Saturday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, to be held after Zuhr prayers.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a vocal anti-India and anti-Hasina activist, has died.

"He (Hadi) gathered attention and supporters, partly because he presented himself as a sharp anti-India voice and because he positioned himself against anything he believed was tied to the Awami League or pro-India politics," wrote Asif Bin Ali in the Dhaka Tribune.

According to some reports, Hadi had recently released a map of a "Greater Bangladesh" that included parts of Indian territory.

Hadi, is an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 seat. Bangladeshi outlets say Hadi has long positioned himself against the Awami League and pro-India politics. This, along with his sharp, often controversial language, has got him attention.

Hadi and the Inquilab Mancha have repeatedly called for the Awami League to be banned "constitutionally" from politics.

Not just the Awami League, Hadi has been openly critical of other major parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He has said that if it returned to power with "old-style" politics, it would not last even two years.

A female journalist with The Daily Star, Zyma Islam, was trapped inside the newspaper’s office after a fire broke out during an attack by an angry mob. In a distress message posted on Facebook, she wrote, “I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I’m inside. You are killing me.”

Other staff members inside the building were also reported to be in danger as thick smoke spread through the premises.

Protesters gathered outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram after news emerged of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, with a group of demonstrators throwing stones at the premises.

The crowd assembled near the mission’s Khulshi office around 11 pm on Thursday, shouting slogans over Hadi’s killing while raising chants targeting both the Awami League and India.

Witnesses said some protesters shouted openly anti-India and anti-Awami League slogans, including “Demolish Indian agression!” and “Catch and slaughter those who belong to the League (Awami League)”.

Bangladesh interim chief Muhammad Yunus on Thursday confirmed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure of the July uprising and spokesperson of the Inkilab Mancha, who died while undergoing treatment in Singapore following a shooting earlier this month. His death triggered massive unrest across parts of Dhaka. Yunus urged the public to remain calm.

“I stand before you today with deeply heart-wrenching news. Sharif Osman Hadi… is no longer with us,” Yunus said. He said Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan personally informed him of Hadi’s death and thanked the Singapore government for its medical efforts.

Calling Hadi a “martyr” and a key figure of the July uprising, Yunus said his death was an “irreparable loss” to the country’s democratic movement. He announced a one-day national mourning on Saturday, with flags at half-mast and special prayers after Friday’s Jumu’ah.

“All perpetrators involved in this brutal assassination will be swiftly brought to justice,” Yunus said, urging citizens to remain calm and allow investigations to proceed. He added, “Any attempt to silence his voice… will be completely thwarted.”

Massive protests erupted in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, with thousands gathering at Shahbag following the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, a polarising figure known for his strong anti-India rhetoric.

Chanting slogans and waving placards, protesters accused authorities of failing to protect Hadi, the convener of the political platform Inquilab Mancha and a key organiser of the July uprising. The demonstrations soon escalated, with a group vandalising the office of Daily Prothom Alo, the country’s largest newspaper, amid heightened outrage. The Awami League’s office in Rajshahi was reportedly set on fire.

According to local media, several people are stranded inside the building that houses the offices of Prothom Alo & Daily Star. Protesters first vandalised these offices and then set them ablaze. Read the full report here.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the July Uprising and a spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch who was shot last week, died on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital after fighting for his life for six days. 

Osman Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants in Bangladesh’s capital while travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw on Culvert Road in the Paltan area on December 12. He was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital after his condition worsened.

"Despite the best efforts of the doctors, Mr Sharif Osman Hadi succumbed to his injuries," Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a brief statement.

Read the full report here.