Violence erupted in several parts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday night, December 18, 2025, after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi was confirmed. Hadi, a well-known student leader and head of the radical group Inquilab Mancha, had been shot in central Dhaka on December 12. He later died while receiving treatment in Singapore. News of his death spread quickly, leading to protests, road blockades, and clashes across the capital, just weeks before Bangladesh’s national elections.
🇧🇩🇮🇳||Chattogram | Protest Outside Indian high comission
A protest is underway outside India’s Assistant High Commission in Chattogram, Bangladesh.#BangladeshCrisis pic.twitter.com/IVQ1htw3eb
— Abhimanyu Manjhi (@AbhimanyuManjh5) December 19, 2025
Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Hadi became a familiar name during the July–August 2024 student-led movement that ended the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He later formed Inquilab Mancha, which grew into an active political group. The organisation led protests against the Awami League, which was later disbanded by the interim government. Hadi had recently started his election campaign and planned to contest the February 2026 parliamentary polls as an independent candidate from Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.
#BREAKING 🚨 Protests have erupted across Bangladesh.
Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically wounded in a gun attack on Friday, has passed away while receiving treatment at Hospital.#sharifosmanhadi #OsmanHadi #BangladeshCrisis #Bangladeshprotest pic.twitter.com/f5rElCfeKZ
— U R B A N S E C R E T S 🤫 (@stiwari1510) December 19, 2025
Protests in Bangladesh
According to police, Hadi was shot by three unidentified attackers on a motorcycle while campaigning on December 12. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment. The 32-year-old died on December 18. Following his death, protests broke out, with demonstrators demanding the arrest of the attackers. The interim government announced a day of mourning and warned against rumours, while tensions also rose over claims that the suspects may have fled the country.
