Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader and spokesperson of the protest group Inqilab Mancha, has died at the age of 32 after being critically injured in a shooting in Dhaka last week. His death has sparked widespread unrest and political turmoil across Bangladesh.
Hadi was shot in the head on December 12, 2025, by unknown assailants on a motorcycle in the Purana Paltan area of Dhaka while he was leaving a mosque following Friday prayers. He was initially treated at hospitals in Dhaka before being airlifted to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18, 2025.
The incident has been widely described as an assassination. Although authorities have identified suspects and launched investigations, details about arrests and motives remain politically charged and contested. Police have said they are actively pursuing those responsible, but tensions remain high.
Hadi was not only a well-known figure in the 2024 student-led protests that reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape, but he was also preparing to contest the upcoming February 2026 national elections as an independent candidate from Dhaka-8. His speeches often criticized foreign influence and called for deep political reforms, gaining significant support among youth and activists.
The news of his death quickly triggered mass protests in Dhaka and other major cities, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability. Demonstrations have been marked by clashes with security forces, vandalism, and attacks on media offices perceived as aligned with rival political interests. Offices of major newspapers have even been torched amid the chaos.
The ongoing unrest has prompted national leaders to call for calm. Inter-governmental leaders, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, have declared periods of national mourning, urged restraint, and promised thorough investigations into the shooting.
As the country grapples with grief and political instability, the assassination of Hadi is shaping up to be a defining moment ahead of Bangladesh’s pivotal elections—raising questions about political violence, public safety, and democratic space in the nation.
