Inqilab Mancha sets 7-day deadline
Inqilab Mancha on Friday demanded that the government provide concrete information about those responsible for the murder of its spokesperson, Sharif Osman bin Hadi, within the next seven days, warning that it would launch a sit-in programme at Shahbagh if no visible progress is made.
The announcement came after a protest march organised by the platform following Jummah prayers.
The procession began at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University and concluded near the burial site of Osman Hadi, where leaders and activists held a brief rally.
Addressing the gathering, Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber criticised the government’s handling of the investigation, alleging that despite being in office for three months, it had failed to provide a clear roadmap for ensuring justice in the case.
“The government repeatedly says efforts are underway to bring back the killers. We want to know whether this process will continue indefinitely,” Jaber said.
He warned that if the government fails by next Friday to disclose specific information about the perpetrators or announce a timeline for bringing them to justice, Inqilab Mancha, along with members of the public, will stage a sit-in programme at Shahbagh.
Jaber also questioned the government’s response to recent remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the Hadi murder.
According to him, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have examined and verified the claims made by Mamata instead of dismissing them as comments from a defeated political candidate.
“We will not issue any further ultimatums regarding justice for Osman Hadi,” Jaber said.
“Now it is the government’s turn to provide deadlines and commitments. If we are forced to issue another ultimatum, it will be for a final movement.”
He further called on the government to clarify the status of a proposed United Nations-backed investigation into the murder, asking whether the international body had agreed to conduct such an inquiry.
Referring again to Mamata Banerjee’s comments, Jaber alleged that links existed between India and Bangladesh in relation to the murder case and urged the authorities to take full control of the investigation and ensure a speedy trial of those responsible.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, was killed under circumstances that continue to spark political controversy and demands for justice.
The platform has been holding a series of programmes seeking accountability and transparency in the investigation.
