Who Was Sharif Osman Hadi? Why Was the Rising Student Politician Murdered Ahead of Bangladesh Polls?

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Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was shot by masked men on 18 December 2025 during an event in Dhaka. He was a pivotal figure in the 2024 student-led uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina. Hadi also served as the primary spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, a platform born from the July Revolution to protect democratic values.

Born into a religious family in Jhalokathi, the young leader pursued political science at the University of Dhaka. Learn how Hadi’s death has caused public outrage in Bangladesh.

Rise of the Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson

Osman Hadi’s leadership bridged the gap between student activists and broader political mobilization across the nation. He was a fierce critic of "fascist" rule and demanded the permanent disbanding of the Awami League.

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Before his untimely death, he was campaigning as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in February. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus recently stated, "Today, I came before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, is no more among us."

Escalation of Violence and Nationwide Unrest

The passing of Sharif Osman Hadi sparked immediate chaos throughout major cities in Bangladesh. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Dhaka, attacking media organizations and other entities affiliated with the former ruling party. The headquarters of the daily newspapers Prothom Alo and Daily Star were set on fire.

The police officials reportedly used tear gas as protestors tried to break their way into Indian diplomatic premises. The protesters also set an Awami League office on fire in Rajshahi and blocked highways connecting Dhaka to northern parts of the country. The protestors were chanting slogans that demanded justice and asserted that the killers were sheltered by foreign interests.

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The targeted attack on media groups indicates a transformation in the public rage in Bangladesh. Protesters do not view news journals as passive observers but as active participants within geopolitical situations. The attacks on media offices indicate a war of narratives in which students feel wronged by news outlets’ failure to report on the sanctity of their revolution.