Widespread unrest and violent protests have gripped Bangladesh following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, plunging the nation into a fresh wave of turmoil at a sensitive political moment ahead of the February 2026 national elections. The upheaval, marked by arson, clashes with security forces, anti-India sentiment and a rising threat to press freedom, reflects deepening public anger and volatile social fissures in the South Asian country.
Hadi, a 32-year-old spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform and a key figure in the student-led uprising that helped topple former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, died on Thursday in a Singapore hospital after being shot during an assassination attempt in central Dhaka last week. His death set off immediate and intense protests across major cities, including the capital, Dhaka, where demonstrators took to the streets chanting emotionally charged slogans demanding justice and accountability.
Angry crowds, fuelled by grievances over Hadi’s killing and broader political frustrations, stormed and vandalised offices of leading newspapers — Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Video and eyewitness accounts showed mobs smashing windows and setting fire to the buildings, trapping journalists and staff inside amid plumes of thick smoke, before emergency services could contain the infernos. Reports suggest that rescue efforts were hindered by the sheer size of the crowds blocking access routes.
At least three separate arson incidents were confirmed by local fire officials, underscoring the ferocity of the protests. Journalists described harrowing scenes inside the burning structures, with some resorting to social media to call for help as smoke and flames spread.
The violence quickly spread beyond the capital. In Rajshahi, protesters bulldozed an Awami League office — symbolising rejection of the political order that Hasina once led — and blocked key highways, disrupting transport and communications. In Chittagong, demonstrators even targeted the Indian Assistant High Commission, reflecting rising anti-India sentiment among certain protest factions who blame external influence for domestic political decisions. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s ancestral home, the residence of Bangladesh’s first president and Hasina’s father, was reportedly vandalised and set alight once again, reigniting painful historical memories.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina’s departure into self-imposed exile, has urged calm and pledged a thorough investigation into Hadi’s killing. Yunus declared a national day of mourning with flags at half-mast and called on citizens to exercise restraint while law enforcement agencies pursue those responsible. Security forces have been deployed across the country to curb further violence and protect vulnerable institutions.
However, analysts warn that the unrest exposes serious challenges to Bangladesh’s fragile political transition. With elections looming and public confidence shaken, the government faces mounting pressure to balance enforcement with dialogue, while concerned observers raise alarms over threats to press freedom, civil liberties and regional stability.
The situation remains fluid as authorities attempt to restore order, manage escalating tensions and prevent further deterioration of law and order in a nation already on edge after months of political upheaval.
