Bangladesh Prepares for Funeral of Youth Leader Sharif Osman Hadi Amid Tight Security

Bangladesh is preparing for the funeral of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday, December 20, 2025, with heightened security measures in place following widespread unrest triggered by his assassination. The funeral prayer is scheduled for 2 pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, as announced by the interim government's press wing, while the burial will occur beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, in accordance with the family's wishes.

Authorities have imposed strict restrictions, including a ban on drone flights around the parliament area and requests for attendees to avoid carrying bags or heavy objects. The Inqilab Mancha, Hadi's political platform, emphasized maintaining order and announced there would be no public viewing of the body, urging supporters to offer prayers peacefully as the nation mourns a key figure from last year's student-led July Uprising.

Hadi's body arrived in Dhaka from Singapore on Friday evening amid heavy security, where he had been treated for fatal gunshot wounds sustained on December 12 during his election campaign. Overnight, alleged radical activists unleashed violence, including arson at the headquarters of cultural organization Udichi Shilpigoshthi, vandalism at newspaper offices, and attacks on progressive groups like Chhayanat, prompting deployments of police, border guards, and army personnel.

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Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address, vowed swift justice for Hadi's killers with no leniency and declared Saturday a day of state mourning, while calling for public restraint against provocations by fringe elements. However, protests escalated with anti-India slogans, demands to close the Indian High Commission, stone-hurling at diplomatic residences, and a lynching in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy, which the government strongly condemned.

International concern has mounted, with the US Embassy advising citizens to avoid gatherings due to risks of escalation, and opposition leaders like BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir describing the violence as part of a conspiracy to foster extremism and destabilize the country. The Editors' Council and media owners criticized the interim government's handling of mob actions as the nation grapples with grief and volatility.

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