Bangladesh in Turmoil: Media Offices Attacked Amid Protests Over Sharif Osman Hadi's Death

Violent protests continue in Bangladesh, with media houses targeted and vandalised in the aftermath of Sharif Osman Hadi’s death. The outspoken critic of India, who played a key role in the 2024 student uprising, was killed last week in a targeted attack. His death has sparked widespread outrage and fresh calls for justice.

Agencies, Dhaka, December 19, 2025 : Bangladesh is in the grip of violent protests for a second consecutive day following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led Inqilab Moncho movement. Hadi, 32, who was an outspoken critic of both India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, succumbed to injuries after being shot by masked gunmen last week in Dhaka. His death, which occurred at a Singapore hospital on Thursday, has led to an outpouring of public anger, with demonstrators demanding swift justice and retribution for the killing.

The protests have intensified in recent days, with thousands of people taking to the streets across Dhaka and other parts of the country. The violence has escalated, and the focus has shifted to media houses. Mobs have attacked and set fire to the offices of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which are accused of being sympathetic to India and the ousted Hasina government. The mob violence escalated when protesters, enraged by the perceived failure of the media to align with the anti-India sentiment in the country, targeted these publications.

Protesters set fire to the office buildings late Thursday night, and staff inside, including reporters, were trapped as flames spread. Zyma Islam, a reporter for The Daily Star, posted a desperate message on Facebook, saying, “I can't breathe anymore. There's too much smoke. I'm inside. You are killing me.” Fortunately, firefighters were able to rescue the trapped employees after several hours of peril.

Prothom Alo’s executive editor, Sajjad Sharif, condemned the attack, calling it “an assault on freedom of the press, expression, and dissent.” The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation, with the Committee to Protect Journalists urging the government to ensure the safety of media workers and hold those responsible accountable.

The violence also extended to the partially destroyed residence of Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Dhanmondi 32. Protesters attempted to demolish the remaining structure of the house, which had already been heavily damaged in previous attacks. The house, which served as both a residence and political headquarters during Bangladesh's liberation struggle, has become a symbol of the nation’s history. It was reportedly attacked by demonstrators using heavy machinery, including an excavator, further damaging the site.

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has expressed deep concern over the vandalism and called for restraint. A government statement urged citizens to avoid mob violence, stressing that the country is undergoing a critical democratic transition. "This is a historic moment for our nation, and we cannot let it be derailed by those who thrive on chaos," the statement read.

Hadi’s death has also reignited tensions between Bangladesh and India. Authorities in Dhaka have suggested that the gunman who shot Hadi likely fled to India, a claim that has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Bangladesh summoned India’s envoy in Dhaka to seek clarification, and India reciprocated by calling on Bangladesh’s representative in New Delhi. Demonstrators have also marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, with protesters demanding that India return the alleged perpetrators of the attack.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a significant figure in the student-led uprising of 2024, which ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Hadi had been a vocal critic of Hasina’s policies and her alleged subservience to India, which had fuelled rising anti-India sentiment in the country. In the aftermath of the uprising, Hasina fled to India, where she remains in self-imposed exile.

Hadi had also announced his intention to run for parliament in the February 2026 national elections, and his death has left a major void in the political landscape. Members of his group, Inqilab Moncho, have vowed to carry forward his legacy and continue their fight against the influence of India in Bangladesh’s politics. They have accused the interim government, led by Yunus, of being too closely aligned with India and have called for the establishment of a “revolutionary government.”

The escalating violence has raised concerns over the state of democracy and media freedom in Bangladesh. The attacks on media offices have highlighted the growing intolerance towards dissenting voices, and the role of the press has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political struggle. The situation remains tense, with protests continuing to spread across the country.

On Friday, a video showing Nurul Kabir, the editor of New Age, being physically assaulted by protesters went viral on social media, further fueling the unrest. As the protests continue, demonstrators are also calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible for Hadi’s death, with the authorities launching a manhunt for the suspects.

In the wake of Hadi’s death, special prayers were held in mosques across Bangladesh, and Saturday has been declared a national day of mourning. The country’s interim government, in a statement, described Hadi’s death as “an irreparable loss for the nation” and vowed to pursue justice for the slain leader.

As the situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, the world watches closely, concerned about the future of democracy, freedom of the press, and the stability of the region.