Osman Hadi's killing set off violent protests across Bangladesh. Extremist mobs vandalised and torched the offices of major newspapers, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, accusing them of biased reporting.

Two Bangladeshi nationals accused in Sharif Osman Hadi murder arrested in India

Sharif Osman Hadi, the 32-year-old spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, died on December 18 last year at Singapore General Hospital. The activist was shot in the head by unidentified masked assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka's Paltan area on December 12 while leaving a mosque.

Bangladesh: Yunus govt seeks UN assistance to probe killing of Osman Hadi

After radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder, Bangladesh faces fresh unrest. Prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud denied fleeing to India in a viral video, while Inqilab Moncho issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Yunus-led government amid anti-India demands and election tension.

Osman Hadi’s killer in Dubai? Paid him 5 lakh taka before murder? What we know amid Bangladesh’s anti-India rhetoric

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Inqilab Moncho demanded a 24-day deadline to complete the trial over Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing and sought suspension of Indian work permits. Meanwhile, Dhaka rejected India’s minority violence concerns, calling incidents isolated and accused New Delhi of bias.

'Suspend work permits of Indians': Osman Hadi's student wing mentions India while issuing ultimatum to Bangladesh govt

As Bangladesh approaches national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, the country finds itself teetering on the edge of renewed chaos. The killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 19, 2025, has once again ignited violent unrest, exposing deep fissures in the nation’s political fabric. Attacks on media outlets and cultural sites, and the lynching of a Hindu worker by a mob which accused him of blasphemy underscore a worrying drift toward mob rule and extremism, threaten to derail the fragile democratic transition and leave onlookers wondering whether the interim government can still control the situation.


Bangladesh: Shifting political tides and emergence of new political forces

Sharif Osman Hadi’s brother blamed Bangladesh’s interim government for failing to protect the slain Inqilab Mancha leader, warning it cannot escape accountability. He demanded swift arrests, said the murder aimed to derail elections, and vowed justice amid nationwide unrest and protests.

Another uprising in Bangladesh soon? Osman Hadi’s brother accuses Yunus govt of murder, warns 'You'll also have to flee if...'

Motaleb was shot inside a house located behind Gazi Medical College Hospital and the bullet only skimmed his scalp, causing bleeding, but he survived, the police added.

Bangladesh violence: Student leader Motaleb Shikdar out of danger after gunshot injury

Later that same day (Dec 12), while campaigning in Dhaka’s Paltan area, Hadi was travelling in a battery-operated rickshaw. Two helmeted assailants on a motorcycle intercepted him and shot him in the head at close range before fleeing.

Who shot ya? Politician who posted 'Greater Bangladesh' map, gets assassinated by unknown men same day

For Bangladesh, the year 2025 was one of fragile calm under an interim government, marred by political and communal violence. Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence was shocking, but the violence spiralled again after youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing ahead of elections.

YEAR-ENDER 2025: Bangladesh’s uneasy calm after the storm disturbed by youth leader Hadi’s killing

The interim government has written to Meta asking it to take down violence-inciting content from Facebook. It alleged that such content was being posted to “sabotage the election process” and “encourage attacks on media organisations”.

Osman Hadi buried next to Kazi Nazrul Islam; UN calls for protection of electoral freedom ahead of Bangladesh polls

Hadi was the spokesperson political platform Inqilab Mancho. He was critically injured after assailants shot him in Dhaka on December 12.

‘Something that would shake Bangladesh’: What did Sharif Osman Hadi's ‘shooter’ say to his girlfriend before the attack

Violence erupted across Bangladesh after radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s death. Protests saw arson, vandalism and attacks on media offices and landmarks. Hadi, shot by masked men, later died in Singapore; police launched a manhunt.

In Pics | How death of radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi sparked violence in Bangladesh

On Friday (Dec 19), at least three cases of arson were reported in Dhaka. Buildings of newspapers, Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were targeted in the attacks. The protestors have accused the two largest papers of aligning with India, where Sheikh Hasina has been staying after her ouster.

Who was Sharif Osman Hadi? Radical youth leader behind Inqilab Mancha – All about his ideology and movement

The death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi has led to violent protests across Bangladesh. Indian diplomatic missions, media houses and Awami League offices are being targeted. 