Bangladesh has been plunged into widespread violent protests following the confirmed death of student uprising leader Osman Hadi, who succumbed to injuries from an assassination attempt. On Thursday night, demonstrators set fire to the ruling Awami League’s office in Rajshahi and attacked the headquarters of major national newspapers in the capital, Dhaka, as anger over the killing boiled over.
#breaking
Bangladesh at a breaking point!
Anti India Mob on Streets!
Sharif Osman Hadi shot by masked gunmen, dies after a week. Protests erupt, political violence surges, law & order under strain ahead of elections. pic.twitter.com/EZBFPJ5GwO— Ashish Malviya (@AshishMalviyaIF) December 18, 2025
What Buildings Were Targeted in the Protests?
Protesters targeted symbolic institutions across multiple cities. In Rajshahi, the local office of the ruling Awami League party was set on fire. In the Karwan Bazar area of Dhaka, angry mobs torched the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Witnesses reported about 20 people were stranded inside The Daily Star building, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. Separately, protesters also attacked and set fire to Dhanmondi 32, the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
State-sponsored violence has erupted across #Bangladesh . Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi have seen the worst of it. Targets ranged from the Indian High Commission and newspaper offices to @albd1971 party offices and the homes of Awami League supporters many vandalized,… pic.twitter.com/IU6MBF1blf
— Rubence (@Rubence) December 18, 2025
Who Was Osman Hadi and How Did He Die?
Sharif Osman Hadi was a spokesperson for the Inkilab Mancha (Revolutionary Platform) and a well-known leader of the July Mass Uprising in 2024. On December 15, he was evacuated to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for emergency care in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit after being shot in the head in Dhaka. In spite of the efforts of medical professionals from SGH and the National Neuroscience Institute, Hadi passed away from his injuries, according to an official statement issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 18, 2025.
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What Has the Government’s Response Been?
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh government, addressed the nation following Hadi’s death. In a post on X, he called Hadi a “fearless frontline warrior” and vowed that the “perpetrators involved in the brutal assassination will be swiftly brought to justice.” Yunus made a public appeal for calm, urging citizens to “maintain patience and restraint” and allow law enforcement to conduct a professional investigation. He emphasized the state’s commitment to the rule of law and called for unity to establish “democracy, justice, and the rights of the common people.”
Key Facts of the Unrest:
Trigger: Death of student leader Osman Hadi from assassination injuries.
Major Targets: Awami League office (Rajshahi), Prothom Alo & The Daily Star offices (Dhaka), Dhanmondi 32 historic residence.
Official Confirmation: Singapore MFA confirmed Hadi’s death on Dec. 18, 2025.
Government Stance: Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus vowed justice and appealed for peace.
Current Status: Authorities have not yet commented on damage assessments or arrests.
The violence represents a significant escalation of the political and social tensions that have simmered in Bangladesh since the 2024 student uprising. The fact that both political party offices and significant independent media sites were targeted highlights how widespread the protestors’ anger was. As the administration works to quell the protests, the situation on the ground is still unstable.
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