Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent opposition leader in Bangladesh known for spearheading protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has died in Singapore. Hadi was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during an attack in Dhaka a few days prior. His death has reportedly ignited further unrest and arson across several Bangladeshi cities. The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political sphere, particularly following the recent announcement of parliamentary election schedules. Hadi, a vocal member of the Inqilab Manch, was campaigning in the Bijoynagar area when unidentified assailants opened fire on his auto-rickshaw in the Paltan vicinity. He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital. His condition, however, worsened, necessitating his urgent airlift to Singapore for advanced medical care. Doctors at Singapore General Hospital made every effort to save him, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Hadi had risen to prominence following the 2024 ‘July uprising,’ which led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. The chief adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, has strongly condemned the violence, labeling election-related unrest as ‘completely unacceptable’ and a worrying development for the country’s political future. In response to Hadi’s passing, Yunus declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast. He described Hadi as a ‘fearless fighter’ and an ‘immortal soldier in the struggle against fascism and hegemony,’ emphasizing the profound loss to the nation’s political and democratic landscape.
