Students, protesters gather at Shahbagh over Osman Hadi’s death

Students and protesters began gathering at Shahbagh in the capital on Friday morning (December 19) to protest the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha and a frontline organiser of the July mass uprising.

From early morning, people arrived at Shahbagh in groups and processions from different parts of Dhaka, carrying flags and chanting slogans demanding justice for Hadi. Protesters were heard chanting slogans such as “We will not let Hadi’s blood go in vain” and “Down with fascism.”

By around 8:30am, the Shahbagh area saw a growing presence of demonstrators, with many describing Hadi as a symbol of resistance and patriotism.

Ashfaqul Rahman, a madrasa student who came from Shanir Akhra, said the death had deeply shaken him. “We have lost a true patriot. I couldn’t sleep last night and came here early to protest,” he said.

Another protester, Imrul Kayes from Rampura, said Hadi’s death had shaken the entire nation. “We will turn our grief into strength. We will not return home until justice is ensured,” he said.

Tensions escalated in Dhaka late Thursday night after news spread that Sharif Osman Hadi had died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore at around 9:45pm.

Hadi, one of the key organisers of the July uprising and a prospective parliamentary candidate from Dhaka-8, was shot in the head by assailants on December 12 while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area. He was initially treated in Dhaka before being flown to Singapore for advanced care, where he later succumbed to his injuries.