Bangladesh is witnessing widespread protests and violence after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. He was shot last week by masked gunmen in Dhaka while launching his election campaign. Hadi was first treated at a local hospital, and later airlifted to Singapore. He died on Thursday night after six days on life support.
The unrest began late Thursday and continued through Friday morning in several parts of the capital. Videos on social media showed angry crowds overturning vehicles, blocking roads, and attacking government and media offices. Protesters chanted slogans demanding justice for Hadi and called for the arrest of his killers.
Hadi, who was 32, had been a key figure in last year’s protest movement that forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country. He was contesting a parliamentary seat in the upcoming national elections scheduled for February 2026. Several political analysts said his death has intensified tensions ahead of the polls. 
One of the major flashpoints was outside the offices of two leading daily newspapers—Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. Protesters vandalised the buildings, set fire to equipment, and damaged vehicles parked nearby. Firefighters said they battled flames at the Daily Star office until early morning and rescued stranded reporters. At least 25 journalists were taken out of the building safely.
In another incident, protesters attacked the ancestral home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding president and father of Sheikh Hasina. The house in Dhanmondi was vandalised and set on fire. Reports said that this property had been attacked several times before.
There were also sit-ins and stone-throwing outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. The Indian High Commission issued an advisory asking Indian nationals, including students, to avoid travel and stay indoors.
Bangladesh Police launched a manhunt for the gunmen who killed Hadi and released photographs of two suspects. A reward of five million taka has been announced for information leading to their arrest.
Late Thursday night, interim leader Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm and promised a transparent investigation into Hadi’s death. “His passing represents an irreplaceable loss to the nation’s political and democratic sphere,” Yunus said.
The government declared Saturday as a day of state mourning. National flags will fly at half-mast and special prayers will be held.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed also offered condolences, saying the country has “lost a courageous voice.” Meanwhile, BNP leaders called the killing a political conspiracy, and groups linked to the protest movement urged citizens to cooperate with authorities but continue demanding justice.
Witness accounts from inside media buildings described smoke, fear, and chaos. One journalist trapped inside the Daily Star office told AFP over the phone, “I can’t breathe anymore. There is too much smoke. You are killing me.” Fire crews later confirmed that the blaze had been contained.
The unrest also spread to other parts of Dhaka. Reports from Reuters and local media said highways were blocked, homes of several political leaders were attacked, and police teams had to be deployed at multiple locations to prevent escalation.
Later into the night, protesters marched through Dhaka University and other campuses, lighting candles and mourning Hadi’s death. Some groups also demanded that India return Sheikh Hasina.
