Osman Hadi Funeral in Bangladesh: Massive Crowd, High Security Alert Enforced

On December 20 thousands of people attended the Osman Hadi funeral in the Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The 32-year old leader of the July Uprising was buried at Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam. The interim government declared a state of mourning to honor the fallen revolutionary with the national flags hanging at half-mast.

Inqilab Mancha spokesperson, Osman Hadi, was the leader of the 2024 student movement. His abrupt passing has created a political gap in Bangladesh a few weeks before the 2026 general elections. To a lot of people, he was considered to be a resistance of the past regime and foreign influence.

Osman Hadi: How Did He Die?

On December 12, masked gunmen on a motorcycle shot Hadi in the head while he was campaigning in Dhaka’s Paltan area. Doctors initially treated him in Dhaka but moved him to Singapore General Hospital as his condition turned critical. Despite expert care, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. Investigators have identified suspects linked to the former ruling party, though the hunt for the shooter continues.

Escalating Unrest and the Bangladesh Lynching Crisis

His death caused instant uproar in the country. Violent demonstrators stormed large media houses (Prothom Alo and The Daily Star) claiming they were biased in their coverage. The case was further worsened as a Bangladesh lynching case was reported in Mymensingh. A garment worker was targeted by a mob, which was a symptom of a risky law and order breakdown that is currently an obstacle to the interim government.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has promised a transparent investigation into the assassination. However, the 24-hour ultimatum from student groups keeps the capital on edge. The military remains on high alert to prevent further violence.