Protests Erupt In Bangladesh Post Activist’s Death, Major Media Offices Set Ablaze.

Dhaka; December 2025: The offices of “Prothom Alo” and “Daily Star” are being attacked and vandalised in the capital city Dhaka’s Karwanbazar Area. The Daily Star building has been set on fire, Nagorik reported. The attack on Prothom Alo’s office began around 12:00 midnight (18/19th December). Later the Daily Star was attacked.

After the news of the death of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a group of people gathered in front of the offices of the newspapers and attacked them, as per Nagorik. Live videos circulating on social media show people attacking and vandalising with sticks. Fire was also seen on the road in front of Prothom Alo. In addition, some employees are trapped in the two offices, according to Nagorik.

Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in a gun attack in Dhaka last Friday, died while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Osman Hadi, who was being considered as a potential Dhaka 8 candidate for the upcoming national election, was shot in the head on Friday, December 12, in the Purana Paltan area of the capital.

According to investigators, an assailant opened fire on him from a motorcycle that had been following him from behind while he was travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw to conduct electioneering. He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors performed emergency brain surgery due to massive head injuries. Physicians described his condition as highly critical, saying

that the bullet entered above his left ear and exited through the right side of his head, severely damaging the brain stem. He was later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment and was airlifted to Singapore on December 15th.

Neurosurgeon Abdul Ahad, who took part in Hadi’s surgery in Dhaka, said in a video message on Thursday night that Singapore General Hospital had confirmed Hadi’s death, as per BD News. In a statement posted on Inqilab Moncho’s Facebook page, the platform said Hadi had been ‘martyred’ in the so-called “struggle against Indian hegemony”, as per BD News.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, on Friday announced a national day of mourning on Saturday, December 20, 2025, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha.

A group of protesters staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram after news of the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, the convenor of Inqilab Moncho, BD News reported.

The demonstrators gathered outside the mission’s office in Khulshi the port city around 23:00 hours IST yesterday. Police Force have been mobilised to the scene after learning of the demonstration. Another group of protesters simultaneously took position at Gate No. 2, police told BD News.

Those who have assembled in front of the Indian Assistant High Commission shouted slogans protesting Hadi’s killing, alongside anti-Awami League and anti-India slogans. Police officers later intervened and pushed the protesters back from the premises. Later, Khulshi Police Chief Shahin Alam told BD News that those who had positioned outside the high commission had been removed. He added that police personnel remained stationed in the area to maintain order.

As per latest update at 05:30 hours IST; At least 25 journalists of The Daily Star have been rescued from their office more than four hours after a mob swooped on the newspaper office in Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, BD News reported. The angry crowd descended on the English-language daily’s office around 00:00 hours today.

The first attack came on the Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo, where the crowd had gone chanting slogans. The crowd vandalised the office before setting it on fire around 00:00 hours, as per BD News.

The rescue of The Daily Star journalists took place around 04:00 hours today.

As per the rescued journalists, attackers first vandalised the ground and first floors of the newspaper’s office before setting it on fire at about 12:30 am. The blaze quickly engulfed two floors, sending a huge column of smoke into the air, as per BD News. Its reporters told BD News that the fire service could not reach the building for some time because a crowd had blocked their way.

“I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me”, wrote Zyma Islam, a reporter of the paper trapped inside the building.

The entire night shift fled to the roof to save their lives, pleading for help through phone calls and social media posts. Firefighters eventually reached the site and brought the fire under control at around 02:00 hours. But the journalists could not be brought out immediately, reporters said, because the crowd stormed the building after the flames were extinguished.

Army has been deployed in front of The Daily Star building, as per BD News. Soldiers were later seen escorting the journalists out, along with New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, who had gone there to speak to the crowd but was himself assaulted. The blaze bedlam occurred even though Bangladesh’s Chief

Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, appealed to citizens to maintain peace in the nation and allow law enforcement to conduct investigations professionally, adding that the government is committed to upholding the rule of law and advancing committed to upholding the rule of law and advancing democratic progress.

Yunus, while addressing the nation, said earlier in the day, “I make a sincere appeal to all citizens of the country maintain patience and restraint. Allow law enforcement agencies and relevant institutions to conduct their investigations professionally. The state is fully committed in establishing the rule of law“.

[Maverick News have analysed the Bengali Version of Honourable Mohammed Yunus’s X handle post, and thereby append the Translated English version due to technicalities].

Address to the Nation by the Honorable Chief Advisor

“Dear countrymen,

Peace be upon you.

I come before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, a fearless fighter at the forefront of the July uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, who was undergoing treatment in Singapore, is no longer with us.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Lillahi raji’un.

A while ago, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told me this heartbreaking news over the phone. May the Almighty accept this immortal soldier of the struggle against fascism and hegemony as a martyr – this is my prayer. Let us all pray together.

I express my deep sorrow and grief at the untimely death of Sharif Osman Hadi. His passing is an irreparable loss to the political and democratic sphere of the country. I pray for the eternal peace of his soul and extend my deepest condolences to his bereaved wife, family members, relatives and colleagues.

The government will take responsibility for the wife and only child of martyr Osman Hadi.

I am declaring a one-day national mourning on Saturday for the untimely death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. On this occasion, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on Saturday in all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, government and private buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.

At the same time, special prayers and supplications will be organized in every mosque of the country after Jumma tomorrow, Friday, seeking forgiveness for the soul of martyr Osman Hadi. Please join us in it. Special prayers will also be organized in places of worship of other ‍ other ‍ religions.

I would like to express my special gratitude to the Singaporean government for their ‍ sincerity and professionalism in Hadi’s treatment. Especially to Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is also a doctor. He personally cared for Hadi and kept me informed about his treatment.

All the criminals involved in this brutal murder will be brought to justice quickly and the maximum punishment will be ensured against them. No leniency will be shown in this regard.

Osman Hadi, a young leader imbued with revolutionary blood, was a unique symbol of protest. Through his actions, he left behind a unique example of not only protest, but also patriotism, patience, and determination.

I sincerely appeal to all citizens of the country to maintain patience and restraint.

Give law enforcement agencies and related organizations the opportunity to conduct investigative activities with professionalism. The state is fully committed to establishing the rule of law.

I want to state clearly again that Osman Hadi was an enemy of the defeated forces, the fascist terrorists. The attempt to silence his voice and intimidate the revolutionaries will be completely thwarted. No one can stop the democratic progress of this country through fear, terror, or bloodshed.

We have now reached the final stage of democratic transition. Shahid Hadi was an integral part of this process. His sole desire was to play an active role in the next phase of building a new Bangladesh by contesting the upcoming elections.

It is very sad that his great wish remained unfulfilled. The responsibility of realizing his dream lies on the shoulders of the entire nation today. In the coming days, we all have to move forward with patience, restraint, courage and foresight, so that the fascist terrorist evil force, the enemy of elections and democracy, can be finally defeated.

In this moment of mourning, let us turn the ideals and sacrifices of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi into strength. Let us be patient, not listen to propaganda and rumors, and refrain from any rash decisions.

Instead of falling into the trap of those who want to destabilize the country, let us all unite and move forward with steadfast steps towards establishing democracy, justice, and the rights of the people. This will be our true tribute to Shahid Hadi.

Allah is the protector”.

Team Maverick.