Hadi assassinstion attempt raises concerns about electoral environment, security

The assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, has been carried out at a time when the much-needed poll schedule was just announced.  The incident has raised renewed concern, uncertainty and tension among the political leadership.

Ahead of the elections, questions have started to be raised in the political arena about the law and order situation, the safety of candidates and the overall electoral environment.

Discussions are also intensifying about the election and the capacity of the state security system, focusing on the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the convener of the Inqilab Mancha. Doctors have said that the physical condition of this young political leader, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital, is still not out of danger.

On Saturday (December 13) morning, Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said that Sharif Osman Hadi, who was admitted to Evercare Hospital, has been kept under observation for 48 hours. Earlier, doctors expressed their inability to make any definite comments about his physical condition.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the capital on Friday afternoon, a day after the schedule was announced. He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, when his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Evercare Hospital for better treatment. Although the law enforcement agencies started an investigation immediately after the incident, the motive of the attack and the identities of those involved have not yet been officially revealed.

Leaders of various political parties have raised questions about the election and state security system in light of this incident.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon believes that the attack on Hadi is not just an attack on an individual, but it is an attack on the state and the election process. He told Views Bangladesh: "It is not possible for the state to ensure everyone's personal security. However, the state must take extra precautions regarding those who are discussed or important people. The attack on Hadi is not just personal thing, it is an attack on the state and the election process."

Zonayed Saki, the chief co-ordinator of Ganosanhati Andolan, called the attack an attempt to sabotage the political process. Describing the matter as extremely shameful, he told Views Bangladesh: "Those who committed this incident have taken a stand against Bangladesh. Justice, reform and elections – these three issues stand on the blood of the martyrs of the July mass uprising. The assassination attempt on Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha and a fighter of the July movement, on the eve of that process is extremely shameful."

After the announcement of the schedule, the hope of the elections among the political parties has been aroused by such an attack just a day after the announcement of the schedule.

Abu Hanif, the higher council member and media coordinator of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, told Views Bangladesh: "We were satisfied with the announcement of the schedule. We hoped that an environment for a free and fair election would be created. But the attempt to kill a candidate within a day has called that hope into question."

He also said: "The fear that the defeated power Awami League will not sit still and will try to sabotage the election has now increased."

At that time, he accused the Home Affairs Adviser of failing to manage the law and order situation and demanded the resignation of the adviser.

Criminologist Dr. Touhidul Haque sees this incident as a reflection of the overall security situation in the country. He told View Bangladesh: 'There have been shooting incidents at election rallies before the schedule was announced, and a situation like target killing is being created in some places. However, the activity of the law and order forces is not as expected."

Immediately after the attack on Hadi, political parties are blaming each other. Dr. Touhidul Haque questioned the culture of blame in the political arena. He said: "In our country, there is a culture of blame game before the investigation is completed. As a result, the real criminals go into hiding and the judicial process is hampered."

He also raised questions about the recovery of looted firearms after the movement, bailed and absconding defendants, and expressed fears that the election process will be disrupted.

The shooting incident of a potential candidate is not just a question of personal security—it is a direct blow to the electoral environment, the state’s law and order capacity, and political tolerance, analysts believe.

In addition to the improvement in Sharif Osman Hadi’s physical condition, everyone’s attention is now on a fair investigation of this attack, identification of those responsible, and exemplary trials.