The killing of a prominent youth leader has shaken Bangladesh after confirmation that Osman Hadi shot dead following a targeted attack during his election campaign in Dhaka.
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, died on December 18 at Singapore General Hospital after battling critical head injuries for six days. Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said doctors from SGH and the National Neuroscience Institute made sustained efforts to save him, but the injuries proved fatal, confirming the case of Osman Hadi shot dead.
Shot during election campaign in Dhaka
The attack took place on December 12 when Hadi was travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw on Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Paltan area, close to a mosque. Masked assailants opened fire at close range, hitting him near the ear.
He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital as his condition worsened. Doctors described his state as extremely critical, prompting the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to airlift him to Singapore for advanced treatment. His death has since turned the Osman Hadi shot dead case into a major political flashpoint ahead of national elections.
Role in Bangladesh’s student uprising
Born in 1994 in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokhati district, Hadi rose to prominence during the July 2024 student protests that ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. He served as a senior leader and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, a student platform that mobilised large-scale demonstrations against the Awami League.
Although the interim administration later disbanded Inquilab Mancha and barred it from contesting elections, Hadi chose to run as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. Analysts say the Osman Hadi shot dead incident has renewed concerns over political violence during election campaigning.
Known for anti-India protests
Hadi was widely known for leading anti-India protests and holding hardline views. Several reports alleged that he circulated maps of a so-called Greater Bangladesh that included Indian territories, drawing criticism from political observers.
Protests erupt after his death
Soon after news broke that Osman Hadi shot dead, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Dhaka and other cities demanding immediate arrests and accountability. Demonstrations were reported near university campuses and major intersections.
FAQs
Q: What happened in the Osman Hadi shot dead case?
A: Osman Hadi was shot during his election campaign in Dhaka and later died while receiving treatment in Singapore.
Q: Why is the Osman Hadi shot dead case significant?
A: He was a leading face of the student uprising and an election candidate, making the killing politically sensitive.
Q: Where did Osman Hadi die?
A: He died at Singapore General Hospital after being airlifted for advanced medical care.
Q: What happened after his death?
A: Protests erupted across Bangladesh demanding justice and arrests.
