Nationwide protests break out after Hadi’s death
Abu Jakir :
Thousands of students and aggrieved public flooded the Shahbagh intersection in the capital on Thursday night after news spread of the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prominent figure of the July uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, demanding immediate trial and punishment of those responsible for his killing.
The Shahbagh area turned into a focal point of anger, grief, and defiance as demonstrators vowed to continue their movement until the government publicly announced a roadmap for prosecuting Hadi’s killers.
Protesters repeatedly chanted slogans such as “Who are you, who am I? Hadi, Hadi,” “We will all become Hadi; the struggle will continue through generations,” and “Hadi’s blood will not go in vain.”
Agitated students and citizens began gathering at Shahbagh soon after Friday prayers. As the day progressed, the crowd swelled, culminating in what protesters termed an “anti-hegemony rally”in the afternoon.
Former Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) vice-president Md Abu Shadik Kayem led the gathering, with Ducsu leaders positioning themselves atop a truck at the intersection.
Demonstrators arrived in groups and individually, carrying flags and chanting slogans denouncing fascism and demanding justice.
The slogans echoed across Shahbagh, including “Crush and destroy the black hands of fascism,” “There will be no shelter for the Awami League in this land,” “We will not let Hadi bhai’s blood be wasted,” and “We will all become Hadi, fighting on through the ages.”
During the rally, Islami Chhatra Andolan President Muntasir Ahmed accused forces aligned with what he described as Indian hegemony of working against Bangladesh’s interests, declaring that they would no longer be given any space in the country.
He announced that the Shahbagh intersection was being renamed “Shaheed Osman Hadi Square.”
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman, addressing the crowd, accused India of harboring individuals involved in violence in Bangladesh and demanded justice for Hadi’s killing.
Addressing interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, he urged him not to be afraid and to ensure accountability.
From the gathering, protesters demanded swift prosecution of the killers, their immediate arrest, and formal acknowledgment of state responsibility. They vowed not to leave the streets until their demands were met.
Protests at Shahbagh began earlier in the day, with students and ordinary citizens sitting on the main road from the morning hours.
Slogans such as “What we need right now is a revolutionary government,” “Who are you, who am I? Hadi, Hadi,” and “Agents of India, beware” rang out as the demonstration intensified. As time passed, the intersection resembled a sea of people.
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who recently resigned as an adviser to the interim government, called for ensuring the highest punishment for Hadi’s killers through peaceful and united mass resistance.
In a video message posted on Facebook on Friday morning, he said the entire nation was grieving the death of Sharif Osman Hadi and demanding justice.
He reiterated earlier demands for the immediate handover of those responsible for the killing and warned that the government must ensure such incidents do not recur.
Protests continued overnight on Thursday after news broke of Hadi’s death in Singapore, where he had been undergoing treatment after being shot.
Students from various Dhaka University halls marched to Shahbagh after 10pm, blocking roads and setting fires as part of their protest. The demonstrations followed the confirmation of Hadi’s death late Thursday night.
Later that night, groups of protesters attacked and set fire to the offices of the daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, forcing both newspapers to suspend their print and online operations.
The Chhayanaut cultural centre building in Dhanmondi was also vandalised, with protesters setting finres on the road in front of the building.
Meanwhile, on Friday a group of unruly people set fire to the building of cultural organisation Chhayanaut in the capital’s Dhanmondi area as violence spread in the country over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.
Besides, a group of protesters vandalised and set fire office of Udichi Shilpigosthi, in the capital’s Shegunbagicha on Friday evening following the death of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming national election, was shot on December 20 while campaigning. The bullet pierced his head, leaving him critically injured.
He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later admitted to the ICU of Evercare Hospital.
Three days later, he was flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, but his condition failed to improve. He was declared dead on Thursday night.
As news of his death spread, grief quickly turned into widespread outrage, with Shahbagh emerging as the epicentre of protests demanding justice for one of the most prominent faces of the July uprising.