Bangladesh Unrest: Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi and Why Protests Erupted

By Manisha Sahu
America News World
December 19, 2025

Bangladesh is witnessing fresh waves of unrest after the death of prominent student leader and youth activist Sharif Osman Hadi, whose killing has triggered widespread protests across Dhaka and several other cities. His death comes at a politically sensitive moment, just weeks before the country is scheduled to hold national elections for the first time since the dramatic student-led uprising of 2024.

A protester gestures toward the camera outside the offices of the Prothom Alo daily newspaper after enraged demonstrators set the building ablaze following news from Singapore confirming the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, December 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Demonstrators have poured onto the streets chanting slogans in Hadi’s name, demanding swift justice and accountability. Several areas of the capital remained tense late into the night, prompting authorities to deploy additional police and paramilitary forces to prevent further violence.

Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi?

Sharif Osman Hadi was one of the most recognizable faces of Bangladesh’s post-2024 youth movement. He served as a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, a political platform that emerged from the July 2024 student protests which ultimately led to the downfall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Hadi rose to national prominence during that uprising, acting as a key link between student groups and broader political mobilization. His articulate speeches and ability to coordinate across campuses made him a trusted figure among young activists. In recent months, he had begun transitioning from activism to formal politics and was widely expected to contest the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026.

Supporters saw him as a symbol of a new political generation—one rooted in reform, accountability, and democratic participation.

His Role in the 2024 Student Uprising

The July 2024 uprising marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s political history. Triggered by student anger over governance issues, economic pressures, and alleged abuses of power, the movement rapidly expanded into a nationwide protest.

Hadi played a critical role during this period by helping organize demonstrations, communicating protest demands, and representing student voices in public forums. The platform he represented, Inqilab Mancha, gained influence as it challenged the long-standing dominance of the Awami League.

Weeks of unrest eventually forced Sheikh Hasina to flee the country, paving the way for an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took office in August 2024 with a mandate to restore stability and oversee democratic elections.

How Was Sharif Osman Hadi Shot?

Hadi was shot on December 12, 2025, while campaigning in central Dhaka. According to investigators, he was traveling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw in the Paltan area when a masked assailant on a motorcycle approached and opened fire.

Bangladesh Army personnel stand guard outside the offices of the Prothom Alo newspaper in Dhaka on Friday after angry protesters set the premises on fire. (AP Photo)

The bullet struck Hadi in the head, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery. As his condition deteriorated, he was later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced care.

The attack shocked the nation and immediately raised concerns about political violence ahead of the elections.

Treatment in Singapore and His Death

On December 15, Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for specialized medical treatment. He was admitted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit, where doctors assessed extensive brain damage caused by the bullet.

Despite efforts to stabilize him, his condition did not improve. After spending six days on life support, Sharif Osman Hadi died on December 18, 2025, at a hospital in Singapore.

News of his death spread rapidly across Bangladesh, sparking anger, grief, and renewed protests.

Protests and Violence After His Death

Following confirmation of Hadi’s death, thousands of supporters, students, and activists gathered in Dhaka and other major cities. Protesters accused authorities of failing to ensure his security and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the shooting.

In some areas, demonstrations turned violent. The premises of the Prothom Alo daily newspaper in Dhaka were set on fire by angry protesters reacting to the news of Hadi’s death. Security forces were deployed in sensitive zones to prevent further escalation.

Chants invoking Hadi’s name echoed through the streets, with protesters calling him a “martyr of democracy.”

Protesters chant slogans outside the offices of the Prothom Alo daily newspaper after news from Singapore confirmed the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, December 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Government Response and State Mourning

The interim government responded by declaring a day of state mourning in honor of Sharif Osman Hadi. National flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast, and special prayers were announced across the country.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address, described Hadi’s death as “an irreplaceable loss to the nation’s political and democratic sphere.” He urged citizens to remain calm and warned that continued violence could undermine efforts to hold credible elections.

Yunus also assured the public that a transparent investigation was underway and that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Why His Death Matters

Hadi’s killing has intensified political tensions at a critical juncture for Bangladesh. With national elections approaching, his death has raised serious concerns about security, political stability, and the safety of emerging leaders.

For many young Bangladeshis, Hadi represented hope for meaningful change after decades of entrenched political power. His assassination has fueled fears that violence could derail the fragile democratic transition initiated after the 2024 uprising.

Observers warn that unless justice is swiftly delivered, public trust in the interim administration could erode further.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Bangladesh has been under interim rule since August 2024, following months of upheaval that reshaped its political landscape. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the country can move toward peaceful elections or slip back into instability.

As Sharif Osman Hadi’s body is expected to arrive in Dhaka from Singapore, authorities are bracing for further demonstrations. For now, the nation mourns a young leader whose life and death have become a powerful symbol of Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for democratic reform.