Bangladesh is once again gripped by mass protests, street violence, and political uncertainty. While the immediate cause appears clear, the assassination of a popular youth leader—the unrest unfolding across the country in December 2025 is rooted in far deeper tensions. These protests are not spontaneous riots driven by a single incident; they represent the convergence of unresolved grievances from the 2024 uprising, escalating anti-India sentiment, distrust of mainstream media, and fears surrounding the upcoming national elections.
At the center of this storm lies the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a figure whose political symbolism now extends far beyond his short life.
The Assassination That Sparked the Fire
On December 12, 2025, Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old youth leader associated with the Inqilab Mancha platform, was shot in the head by masked gunmen while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. The attack was swift and professional. He was airlifted to Singapore for emergency surgery, but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
For many Bangladeshis particularly young people Hadi was more than a political organizer. He was a hero of the 2024 “July Uprising,” seen as a clean, charismatic leader untainted by decades of entrenched party politics. His death immediately triggered nationwide outrage, with supporters calling him a “martyr of the revolution.”
The anger was intensified by the government’s perceived failure to protect him, despite his public profile and known political ambitions. Protesters argue that the state either failed through negligence or complicity, and they are demanding immediate arrests, resignations of senior officials, and an independent investigation.
A Political Killing in the Shadow of Elections
The timing of Hadi’s assassination has made it even more explosive. Bangladesh is scheduled to hold national elections on February 12, 2026 an event already clouded by distrust and polarization following the fall of the previous government.
Hadi was widely rumored to be preparing a parliamentary bid. His supporters believe his killing was a deliberate political assassination designed to intimidate reformist candidates and suppress voter enthusiasm ahead of the polls. This belief has fueled mass demonstrations, with protesters framing the murder as evidence that shadowy “deep state” forces are still active despite the 2024 revolution.
As a result, the protests are not merely about justice for one man, but about whether the post-revolution political order can survive intact.
The Rise of Anti-India Sentiment
One of the most striking and dangerous features of the current unrest is the surge in anti-India sentiment. Almost immediately after the shooting, protest leaders and student groups claimed that Hadi’s killers were backed by “pro-Indian interests” or had fled across the border to India to evade justice.
These allegations resonate with an already powerful narrative. Since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after being ousted in 2024, many Bangladeshis particularly nationalist and Islamist groups—have accused India of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. To them, India is not a neutral neighbor but an external power attempting to shape the country’s political future.
This belief has translated into action. Protesters have attacked Indian diplomatic offices in cities such as Chattogram and Rajshahi, while some groups are openly demanding the closure of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka until suspects are “returned” to Bangladesh.
Whether or not these allegations are supported by evidence, their emotional impact is undeniable.
The Media Under Attack
Another alarming aspect of the protests has been the targeting of major media outlets, particularly Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Their offices were attacked and set on fire by mobs who accused them of betraying the spirit of the 2024 revolution.
Protesters justify these attacks using two primary claims. First, they accuse these newspapers of being aligned with India and sympathetic to the ousted Awami League. Second, radical factions argue that “liberal media” outlets undermine national sovereignty by criticizing militant nationalism and revolutionary violence.
From an international perspective, these attacks are widely seen as assaults on press freedom. Observers warn that extremist groups are exploiting chaos and grief to silence moderate or dissenting voices, replacing debate with intimidation.
The danger is clear: once journalists become targets, democratic accountability collapses quickly.
Fear of the Old Regime’s Return
The unrest is also fueled by a pervasive fear that the former ruling party is attempting to destabilize the country from exile. Protesters have attacked Awami League offices and symbolic locations associated with the previous regime, signaling that they will resist any perceived resurgence by force if necessary.
In this climate, political compromise is viewed as betrayal, and violence is framed as revolutionary self-defense. The result is a volatile atmosphere where rumors spread faster than facts, and restraint is seen as weakness.
A Crisis Years in the Making
While Hadi’s death was the immediate trigger, the foundations of this unrest were laid long before December 2025. Just days before the assassination, mass protests were already underway targeting India directly.
On December 17, a “Long March” organized by student groups and Islamist factions attempted to reach the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. Police blocked the march using tear gas and barricades. In response to the unrest, India suspended all visa services in Dhaka, citing security concerns.
Meanwhile, the “India Out” campaign has been gaining momentum throughout 2024 and 2025, urging Bangladeshis to boycott Indian goods and reject what activists describe as years of political domination.
Religious tensions have added another layer of volatility. The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges in late 2024 prompted sharp reactions from India, which protesters in Bangladesh interpreted as interference in domestic legal matters.
Against this backdrop, Hadi’s assassination acted like a match dropped onto dry grass.
Where Bangladesh Goes From Here
The current unrest is driven by an explosive mix of grief, nationalism, distrust of institutions, and election anxiety. Protesters are demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, accountability from the state, and a hardline stance against perceived foreign influence.
Whether these demands can be addressed without further violence remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Bangladesh is not simply mourning a fallen leader, it is confronting unresolved questions about sovereignty, democracy, and the true legacy of its revolution.
As the election approaches, the choices made in the coming weeks will shape not only the political outcome, but the country’s long-term stability.
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