Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Ahead of its proposed parliamentary elections in February 2026, with Islamist control increasing, anti-India and anti-Hindu rhetoric rising, and subtle support coming from China and Pakistan, Bangladesh was rocked by widespread protests on Friday after the death of an Islamist student leader in Singapore, the media reported.
On Friday, tension gripped the erstwhile East Pakistan, officially known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh since 1971, after the death of prominent July 2024 uprising leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, triggered protests and violence across the Muslim-dominated country.
While no incidents of violence were reported early on Friday, Thursday night saw attacks and vandalism in various parts of the country after Chief Advisor Muhammed Yunus confirmed. Inquilab Mancha leader Hadi’s death.
Hadi, a candidate in the scheduled February 12 general elections, died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital after fighting for his life for six days.
He was shot in the head last week by masked gunmen as he initiated his election campaign at Central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.
Protesters on Thursday took to the streets and attacked offices of newspapers and vandalized 32 Dhanmandi, the home of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, for a second time.
They also hurled bricks and stones at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram, at 1:30 am, but failed to cause any damage. On Wednesday, too, they tried to attack the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Police responded with tear gas and baton charges, dispersing the crowd and detaining 12 protesters. Senior officials assured the Indian mission of security.
On Thursday night, the National Citizen Party (NCP), a large offshoot of Students against Discrimination (SAD) that led last year’s violent protest — dubbed the July Uprising — joined a mourning procession on the Dhaka University campus.
Supporters of the group chanted anti-India slogans claiming Hadi’s assailants fled to India after committing the murder. They called upon the interim government to close the Indian high commission until they were returned.
“Until India returns assassins of Hadi Bhai, the Indian High Commission to Bangladesh will remain closed. Now or never. We are in a war!” claimed Sarjis Alm, a key leader of NCP.
In Dhaka, protesters attacked the office of a leading cultural group. Wanted Nat and brought out the furniture, setting it on fire.
Sporadic violence was also reported from other parts of the country.
A group of people, believed to be among the protesters, attacked the offices of Bangla newspaper Prothom Alo‘s office and the nearby Daily Star at the capital’s Karwan Bazar, near the Shahbagh intersection.
Reports said they vandalised several floors while journalists and staff of the newspaper were trapped inside, and the mob ignited a fire in front of the building.
In his address, Yunus, whose government is now controlled by Islamist outfits, vowed to bring those involved in Hadi’s brutal murder to justice quickly, saying, “No leniency will be shown” to the killers. I sincerely call upon all citizens keep your patience and restraint.”
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