Bangladesh rocked by unrest after death of student leader
Bangladesh was hit by violent protests on Friday following the death of a prominent student leader, raising fears of further unrest ahead of the country’s national elections scheduled for February.
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Dhaka and other major cities after overnight demonstrations that saw media offices, political buildings and cultural landmarks attacked. While streets were relatively calm in the morning, residents expressed concern that tensions could flare again after Friday prayers.
The unrest followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old student leader and spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform, who was shot by masked attackers in Dhaka last week while launching his election campaign. He was later flown to Singapore for specialist treatment, where he died after six days on life support.
Hadi was a key figure in the student-led protests that toppled the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. He was also known for his criticism of India, at a time when relations between Bangladesh and its neighbour had deteriorated since Hasina fled to New Delhi.
In Dhaka, crowds vandalised the offices of major newspapers, including Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. Firefighters brought a blaze at the Daily Star under control and rescued journalists trapped inside, while troops were deployed to restore order. Editors and journalists reported harassment during the attacks.
Several other sites were targeted nationwide. Protesters set fire to the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s first president and Hasina’s father, and vandalised the premises of the cultural organisation Chhayanaut. In Rajshahi, an Awami League office was demolished with a bulldozer, while major highways were blocked in multiple districts. Violence was also reported in cities, including Chittagong, where demonstrators attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission and torched a house linked to a former education minister.
Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August 2024. In a televised address after Hadi’s death, Yunus described the loss as a major blow to the country’s political and democratic life. He urged calm, promised a transparent investigation, and warned that continued violence could undermine efforts to hold credible elections.
The interim government has declared Saturday a day of state mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast and special prayers to be held nationwide, as security forces remain on high alert to prevent further violence.
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