Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi? Anti-India Leader Whose Death Ignited Violence in Bangladesh

Dhaka: Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s anti-India political landscape, passed away late Thursday night in Singapore, sparking widespread violence across the country. Hadi, 32, had been critically injured last week when unknown assailants shot him in the head during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on 12 December. Airlifted to Singapore General Hospital, Hadi suffered irreversible brain damage, and despite life support and extensive medical care, he succumbed to his injuries.

Rising to Prominence in Anti-Hasina Movements
Hadi became widely known last year during violent student-led protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He served as the spokesperson of the Inquilab Forum, a platform that emerged as a key force in the July uprising, which had previously challenged Hasina’s hold on power. Despite the movement’s impact, the interim Yunus government banned the party and barred it from participating in elections. Hadi was actively campaigning as an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 ahead of the February 2026 general elections.

Known for Anti-India Stance
Sharif Osman Hadi made a name for himself as a staunch opponent of India. He openly criticized both the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, warning against India-backed political practices in Bangladesh. He was also known for distributing controversial maps of the so-called “Greater Bangladesh,” which included parts of Indian territory, further fueling his notoriety.

Violence Erupts Across Bangladesh
Hadi’s death triggered immediate unrest in Dhaka and other cities. Thousands gathered at Shahbagh Square, waving placards and chanting slogans against the government for failing to protect him. Protesters set fire to offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star, and targeted the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League headquarters in Rajshahi. In Chattogram, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner’s residence was attacked with stones as demonstrators shouted anti-India slogans.

National Mourning Declared
In response, interim government head Mohammad Yunus announced a day of national mourning. In a televised address, Yunus called Hadi a “fearless front-line warrior of the July uprising” and promised to bring the killers to justice. He described Hadi as an opponent of “defeated forces and fascist terrorism,” urging citizens to maintain patience and restraint amid the unrest.

Security conditions remained tense late into the night as authorities struggled to restore order in key areas of Dhaka and beyond.