Violent protests erupted at many places in Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.
Fresh violence erupted in Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising on Decemeber 18, 2025 in Singapore. He acted as a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha (Platform for Revolution) and played a significant role in the political upheaval that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hadi was planning to stand as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the Bijoynagar area of the city in the upcoming elections, expected in February 2026. He was critical of India’s influence in Bangladesh’s politics. He was wounded in an assassination attempt on December 12, 2025 following which he was airlifted to Singapore on December 15, 2025 for treatment. Thousands took to the streets, demanding justice and accountability for his killing. A state funeral in Dhaka was held on December20, 2025 which was attended by Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus and other officials.
The July 2024 uprising
The crisis began in July 2024, when students led a massive protest against the conventional job quota system, under which jobs were reserved for descendants of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters in 1971 and who are largely regarded as the political elite now, affecting public sector recruitment. The then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina acted brutally as the protests aggravated. Over 1,400 people were killed and thousands got injured during the July–August 2024 protests, creating political pressure on Hasina government. As a consequence, Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 2024 and fled to India, where she remains in exile. On 8 August 2024, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the Chief Adviser (head) of an interim government, endorsed by the President. Hadi led Inquilab Mancha has always promoted anti-Indian sentiment in the Muslim-majority country.
Death sentence to Sheikh Hasina
In November 2025, Hasina was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by a tribunal in Dhaka. She was charged for mass killings and incitement of violence. Hasina dismissed the trial as politically motivated and illegal.
Recent uprisings
In late December, fresh protests erupted following the death of popular youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Demonstrations spread nationwide, with security forces clashing with protesters, prompting heightened tensions and political uncertainty.
Anger towards India
Sections of Bangladeshi society allege that India meddles in Bangladesh’s affairs and Sheikh Hasina has also given provocative statements against Bangladesh from India, where she’s currently taking shelter. Many Bangladeshis are sharing theories on the internet that the assailants have fled to India, even though these claims are unverified but they have triggered mass anger in volatile situation. After his killing, supporters believe the “old system” and its backers are still influencing Bangladesh, and India is symbolically associated with that past regime.
India has condemned violence and denied any involvement in the killing of Hadi, it has also expressed support for Bangladesh’s stability and democratic process.
