Bangladesh Erupts in Violence: Who Is Sharif Usman Hadi and Why Did His Death Ignite the Nation?

Bangladesh has plunged into sudden and widespread unrest following the death of radical leader Sharif Usman Hadi, triggering violent protests across several cities overnight. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing authorities to deploy additional police and paramilitary forces to restore order.

The Incident That Sparked the Unrest

Last week, Sharif Usman Hadi was shot in the head by masked assailants while he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital, where doctors described his condition as critical. Given the severity of his injuries, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, arranged for Hadi to be airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment.

Despite receiving medical care there since Monday, Hadi succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. His death was officially confirmed later that night by Muhammad Yunus in a televised address to the nation.

Who Was Sharif Usman Hadi?

Sharif Usman Hadi was a prominent radical leader and the head of the student protest organization Inqilab Mancha. He rose to national prominence during the July 2024 student-led uprising, which played a key role in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hadi had recently announced his candidacy for the general elections scheduled for February 12 next year. He had launched his election campaign from the Bijoy Nagar area in central Dhaka, further cementing his political ambitions and influence among the youth.

Nationwide Protests After Death Announcement

Soon after Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death, hundreds of students and civilians gathered at Shahbagh Square, near the Dhaka University campus. Protesters raised emotionally charged slogans such as “Who are you? Who am I? Hadi! Hadi!”, turning the area into a flashpoint of unrest.

In response, the interim government declared a day of national mourning.

Bangladesh Burns Overnight

What began as protests soon spiraled into violent chaos. From Thursday night onward, several parts of Bangladesh witnessed arson and vandalism:

The Daily Star newspaper office was attacked by mobs and set on fire.

Prothom Alo, another leading Bengali daily, also faced violent attacks, forcing both publications to suspend operations temporarily.

Protesters vandalized the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32, currently used as a museum.

Rising Tensions and Anti-India Rhetoric

In recent days, Bangladesh has also seen a sharp rise in anti-India rhetoric, further contributing to the volatile atmosphere. The combination of political uncertainty, radicalization, and Hadi’s death has pushed the country into one of its most tense moments in recent history.

Current Situation

Security forces remain on high alert, with reinforcements deployed in sensitive areas. Authorities are urging calm, but the situation remains fragile as Bangladesh grapples with the aftermath of a leader’s death that has reignited deep political and social fault lines.

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