The funeral procession for Sharif Osman Hadi, a leading figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, drew massive crowds as it moved through the capital under tight security..reports Asian Lite News
Tens of thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Dhaka on Saturday to attend the funeral of a prominent student leader, amid continuing unrest triggered by his killing earlier this week.
The funeral procession for Sharif Osman Hadi, a leading figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, drew massive crowds as it moved through the capital under tight security. Hadi died on Thursday at a hospital in Singapore after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a mosque in Dhaka, an attack that has sent shockwaves across Bangladesh.
Police officers equipped with body cameras were stationed around the parliament complex, where funeral prayers were held, reflecting authorities’ concerns over further violence. Hadi’s body, flown back to Bangladesh on Friday, was later laid to rest at the central mosque of Dhaka University, a site that has long been associated with student movements and political activism.
Addressing mourners, interim leader Muhammad Yunus delivered an emotional tribute, urging the nation to remember Hadi not just as a victim but as a symbol of resistance. “We have not come here to say goodbye,” Yunus said. “You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.”
Hadi, 32, was known for his outspoken political views and was preparing to contest the general elections scheduled for February. Supporters described him as a fierce advocate of national sovereignty and a vocal critic of India’s influence in Bangladeshi affairs.
Among those attending the funeral was Iqbal Hossain Saikot, a government employee who travelled from outside Dhaka. He said Hadi was targeted because of his political stance. “He will live on among the millions of Bangladeshi people who love this land and its sovereign territory,” Saikot told AFP.
Hadi’s killing has sparked two days of violent protests across the country, with demonstrators demanding the swift arrest of those responsible. Late on Thursday, several buildings were set ablaze in Dhaka, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Critics have accused both publications of being sympathetic to India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge since fleeing the country following the 2024 uprising.
On Saturday, Amnesty International called on the interim government to conduct a “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial” investigation into Hadi’s killing, as well as the violence that followed. The rights group also expressed concern over the lynching of a Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, after allegations of blasphemy.
Yunus confirmed that seven suspects had been arrested in connection with Das’s killing in the central district of Mymensingh, as authorities seek to contain rising tensions and restore calm.
