One of the most influential Bangladeshi student leaders associated with the 2024 uprising, Sharif Osman Hadi, was shot in Dhaka. On Thursday, he succumbed to the injuries he sustained when he was shot.
Previously, on the 15th of December, he had been flown to Singapore along with emergency medical supplies through an air rescue service due to the gun shot wound he sustained in the head. This was at the Singapore General Hospital.
Protests Erupt in Dhaka
After learning about his death, protests erupted in different sections of Dhaka. Students and fans alike called for justice and a clear inquiry. Hadi was known to be a part of anti-Hisina party Inqilab Manch, and he had just entered politics as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency before the February elections.
In the aftermath of the demise of Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, protests broke out in Dhaka
Vdo Ctsy: Kaler Kantho pic.twitter.com/lH4RCHcRs8
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 18, 2025
This tragic death has heightened fears regarding violence and security issues surrounding youthful politicians who wish to bring about a revolution through democratic channels in Bangladesh.
Who was Osman Hadi?
Osman Hadi was associated with Inqilab Manch, a platform that emerged as a key force during Bangladesh’s July student-led uprising that eventually brought down the Sheikh Hasina government. Ahead of the February elections, he was contesting as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency and was actively campaigning when he was attacked.
Confirming his death, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Hadi passed away on December 18, 2025, despite intensive medical care provided by doctors at Singapore General Hospital and the National Neuroscience Institute. Authorities in Singapore are now coordinating with the Bangladesh High Commission to ensure the repatriation of his body to Dhaka.
State Mourning Announced by Yunus Government
Following Hadi’s death, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus declared a day of state mourning. The national flag was ordered to fly at half-mast across government buildings, educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad. Special prayers were announced across places of worship, with Yunus referring to Hadi as a martyr and assuring support for his wife and only child.
Anti-India Protests & Diplomatic Impact
Separately, Dhaka also witnessed anti-India demonstrations, with marchers heading toward the Indian High Commission under the banner July Oikya. Amid security concerns, India briefly suspended visa services, later resuming operations in Dhaka while keeping centres in Khulna and Rajshahi closed.
ALSO READ: Who is Osman Hadi? The Activist, Family, Career, Controversies, and the Attack That Left Him Critical
