Dhaka, 19 December (Lake City Update) – Sharif Usman Hadi, coordinator of the Inqlab Manch in Bangladesh and a prominent figure in the movement against Sheikh Hasina’s government, passed away on Thursday while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Following the news, violent protests broke out late Thursday night in Dhaka. Demonstrators set fires, raised slogans, and targeted Awami League offices. Several newspaper offices were also vandalised.
Leading media group Prothom Alo, citing a foreign ministry official, reported that Sharif Usman Hadi died during treatment in Singapore on Thursday.
On 12 December, unknown assailants shot Hadi in the head during election campaigning in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was initially admitted to a hospital in Dhaka in critical condition and later referred to Singapore by air ambulance on 15 December.
Upon hearing of Hadi’s death, his supporters took to the streets. Many angry supporters engaged in arson and vandalism, particularly targeting Awami League offices. Slogans were raised against Sheikh Hasina and India. Offices of newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were damaged and set on fire. Hadi’s supporters accused officials of failing to provide adequate security to him.
Mohammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, addressed the nation urging calm and appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands. He described Hadi as a fearless warrior and announced a national day of mourning on Friday. Yunus also promised that those responsible for Hadi’s killing would not be spared and assured the government would take care of Hadi’s wife and only child.
Hadi played a leading role in the anti-Sheikh Hasina movement in July 2024 and had demanded constitutional restrictions on the Awami League. Known for his staunch opposition to Sheikh Hasina, Hadi was also counted among leaders who frequently criticised India. He was campaigning as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 seat when he was shot on 12 December. He later died during treatment in Singapore.