Violence Erupts in Bangladesh Following Student Leader’s Death, Newspapers Set Ablaze

Bangladesh on Edge After Student Leader’s Death, Media Offices Attacked.

Violent protests erupted across Bangladesh overnight following the death of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The 32-year-old, known for his anti-India stance, was shot by masked assailants last Friday in Dhaka while launching his election campaign. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Thousands took to the streets demanding justice, with several buildings, including major media houses The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, set ablaze, trapping staff inside. Similar unrest was reported in Chittagong, Rajshahi, and other cities, where protesters also targeted political offices and raised anti-India slogans.

The violence follows ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh, which escalated after former premier Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi following last year’s student uprising. India has issued advisories for its nationals in Bangladesh amid the unrest.

Bangladesh’s interim chief, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, described Hadi’s death as a “significant loss to the nation’s political sphere” and urged citizens to maintain calm. Authorities have launched a manhunt, releasing photos of key suspects and offering rewards for information. The country is preparing for its first parliamentary elections since the student uprising, scheduled for February 12, alongside a referendum on democratic reforms.