Dhaka, Bangladesh — After the death of a leading pro-democracy youth figure, violent protests erupted across Bangladesh, heightening tensions in the already volatile nation. Sharif Osman Hadi, who had played a significant role in the ongoing democratic movement, succumbed to gunshot wounds in a Singapore hospital following an assassination attempt last week.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets late Thursday and into early Friday, demanding accountability for Hadi’s death. As unrest spread from Dhaka to other regions, chants targeting India echoed through the crowds. Protesters advanced toward the Indian diplomatic mission and clashed with security forces, which heightened the already fraught atmosphere.
In the city of Rajshahi, some protesters attempted to reach the office of a regional Indian diplomat but were halted by police. Footage circulating online depicted scenes of chaos, with demonstrators hurling stones toward the Indian Assistant High Commission. Earlier in the week, a large crowd had assembled in Dhaka, expressing outrage and attempting to gather outside Indian diplomatic premises.
Amid the upheaval, the National Citizen Party (NCP), an offshoot of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), joined the protests, reiterating that Hadi’s assailants had sought refuge in India. “The interim government must close the Indian High Commission until Hadi’s killers are brought back,” demanded Sarjis Alm, a prominent NCP figure. “This is a battle for justice.”
The capital witnessed significant property damage as protesters set several buildings ablaze, including offices belonging to prominent newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Fire officials reported multiple incidents of arson as chaos unfolded, trapping journalists and staff inside the affected buildings.
The unrest extended beyond the capital, with demonstrators igniting an Awami League office in Rajshahi and vandalizing properties linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who currently resides in India following the toppling of her government during last year’s protests.
In Chittagong, protesters blocked a major highway connecting Dhaka to Mymensingh and targeted the home of a former minister. As tensions continue to escalate, the Indian government has yet to comment on the situation. The protests underscore a growing rift within Bangladesh, as calls for justice and accountability collide with international diplomatic concerns.