Massive Crowds Flood Dhaka Streets for Funeral of Slain Bangladesh Leader
Sharif Osman Hadi’s funeral draws huge crowds in Dhaka, highlighting deep political unrest ahead of Bangladesh elections.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in central Dhaka on December 20, 2025, for the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent activist and leader in the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The event, held amid tight security and declared a national day of mourning by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, saw crowds chanting slogans vowing that Hadi's death would not be in vain, as his assassination has heightened political tensions ahead of the February 2026 elections.
Hadi, spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho platform and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head by masked assailants on December 12 while campaigning in the capital. Airlifted to Singapore for treatment, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His elder brother, Abu Bakar, led the janaza prayers at the South Plaza of the parliament complex on Manik Mia Avenue, attended by massive crowds waving Bangladesh flags and expressing grief mixed with demands for justice.
Following the prayers, Hadi's body was escorted under heavy security to the Dhaka University campus, where preparations for burial had been made overnight. He was laid to rest beside the mausoleum of Bangladesh's national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, near the central mosque—an honor reflecting his status as a key figure in the pro-democracy movement. The procession remained largely peaceful, despite prior unrest triggered by his death.
Also Read: Bangladesh Prepares for Funeral of Youth Leader Sharif Osman Hadi Amid Tight Security
Hadi's killing has inflamed Bangladesh's volatile political landscape, sparking protests and vandalism in recent days, including attacks on media offices. As a vocal critic of external influences and advocate for the uprising's martyrs, his legacy continues to inspire youth activists, while authorities vow a thorough investigation to prevent further instability in the transition to democracy.
Also Read: Sonia Gandhi Pledges Congress Fight Against New Law Replacing MGNREGA
