Dhaka witnessed a large-scale protest on Tuesday as activists from slain student leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s party, Inqilab Moncho, launched a day-long “March for Justice” demanding accountability in his killing and the cancellation of work permits for all Indians residing in Bangladesh. The demonstration also called for repatriation of alleged killers reportedly hiding in India, with warnings that Dhaka could approach the International Court of Justice if New Delhi does not comply.

The protest began at 11:30 am from Shahbagh, with participants travelling on 10 pickup vans and on foot through key intersections including Science Lab, Mohammadpur, Mirpur-10, Uttara, and Bashundhara before returning to Shahbagh. Demonstrators highlighted the “lack of progress” in the investigation and demanded that all involved—including planners, accomplices, and those sheltering the suspects—be brought to trial ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections.

During the march, activists chanted slogans such as “We will not let Hadi’s blood go in vain” and “Why is the murderer free while my brother lies in the grave?”, while also calling for the identification and prosecution of alleged “fascist accomplices” within the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. The demonstration reflected rising political tensions in the country following Hadi’s high-profile killing.

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Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a prominent youth leader and parliamentary candidate, who gained national attention during the mass protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in 2024. He was shot during an election campaign in Dhaka on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18 after being airlifted for treatment, triggering unrest in Bangladesh and straining bilateral ties with India.

Some groups alleged Indian involvement in the killing, which New Delhi has strongly denied, terming the claims a “false narrative” and emphasizing that law and order is Bangladesh’s responsibility. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s commitment to peace, stability, and strong ties with Bangladesh.

Dhaka police had earlier claimed that two suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into Meghalaya via the Haluaghat border. However, Indian authorities, including the BSF and Meghalaya Police, dismissed these claims, stating no evidence or intelligence corroborates their presence in the region, adding to the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the case.

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