Bangladesh is gripped by national mourning following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, the influential 32-year-old youth activist and spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha. Hadi passed away on December 18, 2025, at Singapore General Hospital, succumbing to injuries from a targeted daylight shooting in Dhaka just six days prior.
The assassination occurred on December 12. Hadi was riding an auto-rickshaw in Dhaka’s Paltan area when masked gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at close range. Critically wounded, he was airlifted to Singapore for neurosurgery after initial treatment. Despite intensive medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, a loss confirmed by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hadi was a rising star, a key figure in the 2024 Student Uprising that led to the downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As convener for Inqilab Mancha, he vocally opposed the Awami League and its pro-India policies, actively campaigning as an independent candidate for the upcoming February 2026 elections. His strong nationalist stance made him a prominent, often controversial, voice.
News of his death ignited widespread unrest across Bangladesh. Thousands gathered at Dhaka’s Shahbagh junction, demanding justice. Protests escalated into violence, with mobs attacking media and political offices. Anti-India demonstrations also erupted, fueled by claims linking assassins to “defeated fascist forces.”
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus honored Hadi as a “fearless frontline fighter,” declaring a day of national mourning and vowing swift justice for the “premeditated attack.” Police have launched a massive manhunt, offering a Taka 50 lakh (approx. USD 42,000) reward for information. While some individuals have been detained, the main perpetrators remain at large, leaving a nation demanding answers.
