EXPLAINER | Who was Sharif Osman Hadi and why has his death triggered protests in Bangladesh?

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent youth and student leader in Bangladesh who emerged as a key political voice during the mass student-led uprising of July 2024. His death following a targeted shooting in Dhaka has sparked widespread protests, deepening political tensions ahead of the country’s upcoming national elections.

Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?

Hadi served as a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, a political platform that grew out of the 2024 student protest movement. The movement played a decisive role in forcing then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to step down after weeks of nationwide unrest.

During and after the uprising, Hadi became one of its most recognisable faces, acting as a bridge between student groups and broader political mobilisation. In recent months, he had begun preparing to formally enter electoral politics and was widely expected to contest the general elections scheduled for February.

His role in the 2024 student uprising

In the July 2024 protests, Hadi helped coordinate demonstrations and articulate student demands for political reform. Inqilab Mancha gained prominence during this period, challenging the long-standing dominance of the Awami League.

The uprising eventually led to Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country and the installation of an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

How was he attacked?

On December 12, Hadi was shot while campaigning in central Dhaka. Investigators said he was travelling in a battery-operated auto-rickshaw in the Paltan area when a masked assailant on a motorcycle opened fire, hitting him in the head.

He was initially admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where emergency brain surgery was performed. As his condition deteriorated, he was later moved to a private hospital in the capital.

Treatment abroad and death

On December 15, Hadi was flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment and placed in a neurosurgical intensive care unit. Doctors said the bullet had caused extensive brain damage.

After spending six days on life support, he died on December 18 at a hospital in Singapore.

Why his death sparked protests

News of Hadi’s death triggered protests in Dhaka and several other cities. Demonstrators chanted slogans in his name, accused authorities of failing to protect him, and demanded swift arrests of those responsible for the shooting.

The interim government announced a day of state mourning and promised a transparent investigation. Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s death as a serious blow to Bangladesh’s democratic journey and urged people to remain calm.

Why his death matters

Hadi’s killing comes at a politically sensitive moment, just weeks before Bangladesh’s first national election since the 2024 uprising. His death has intensified concerns over political violence, security, and stability in the run-up to the polls, turning him into a symbol of the risks faced by emerging political voices in the country.