Student Leader’s Death Sparks Unrest, Arson at Media Outlets; Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Elections in Bangladesh

Dhaka/New Delhi : The situation in Bangladesh appears to be rapidly deteriorating following the death of a student leader. Sharif Osman Hadi, a key leader of the ‘July Uprising’ in Bangladesh and spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch (Revolutionary Platform), died Thursday night in Singapore after battling for his life for six days in a hospital.

Following Hadi’s death, widespread protests, vandalism, and arson have erupted in several parts of the country. Some media outlets were also targeted, further escalating the already tense situation.Following Hadi’s death, widespread protests, vandalism, and arson have erupted in several parts of the country. Some media outlets were also targeted, further escalating the already tense situation.

After Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, a group of protesters attacked the offices of the Bengali newspaper ‘Prothom Alo’ and the nearby ‘Daily Star’ newspaper near Shahbagh intersection in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area. According to reports, they vandalized several floors, and the crowd set fire to the front of the building. Journalists and newspaper employees were trapped inside the building during the attack. An eyewitness said, “Around 11 pm, hundreds of protesters arrived at the ‘Prothom Alo’ office and later surrounded the building.” He said that after vandalizing the ‘Prothom Alo’ building, the protesters set fire to the ‘Daily Star’ office. Both newspapers are known to indirectly support Yunus, and it is not yet clear why the two newspapers were attacked.