Fri Dec 19 13:27:24 UTC 2025: News Article:
Bangladesh Rallies for Justice After Activist’s Death, Anti-India Sentiment Surges
DHAKA, Bangladesh – Thousands of Bangladeshis have taken to the streets for a second day to demand justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader and vocal critic of India, whose death has ignited widespread anger and anti-India sentiment across the nation. Hadi, 32, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday in a Singapore hospital after being shot by masked gunmen last week in Dhaka.
The protests erupted swiftly following news of Hadi’s death, with demonstrators accusing India of involvement in the assassination. Demonstrators vandalized buildings, including media outlets perceived as sympathetic to India, the longtime ally of the recently ousted government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, currently in exile in India, was recently sentenced to death in absentia for her role in the deadly crackdown against last year’s student-led uprising.
In Dhaka, protestors marched with national flags and placards, chanting for justice. Similar demonstrations were reported in Gazipur, Sylhet, and Chattogram. Some protestors accuse the perpetrators are currently in India.
Tensions escalated Thursday night as protestors set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, newspapers accused of favoring India. Staff at the Daily Star were trapped during the blaze and had to be rescued by firefighters.
The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, condemned the violence and urged citizens to resist mob rule. “This is a critical moment in our nation’s history,” the government stated. “We cannot and must not allow it to be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos and reject peace.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for the safety of media personnel and accountability for those responsible for the attacks.
Hadi, leader of the student protest group Inqilab Moncho, was a key figure in the pro-democracy movement and planned to run for parliament in the upcoming 2026 elections. Police have launched a manhunt for his killers, releasing photos of suspects and offering a reward for information.
Saturday has been declared an official day of mourning, with special prayers held in mosques across Bangladesh for the slain activist.
First Piper 