DHAKA: Millions of people attended the funeral prayers of slain youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday, as Bangladesh observed a national day of mourning following his killing, which has triggered violent protests and fresh calls for nationwide demonstrations.
Bangladesh’s capital remained tense as mourners gathered for the funeral of Hadi, a prominent anti-India leader and a popular face of the 2024 uprising that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, amid heightened security and deepening political unrest.
Hadi, 32, died late Thursday at a hospital in Singapore, a week after he was shot by masked gunmen outside a mosque in Dhaka. His death has ignited widespread anger, particularly among young protesters who describe him as a martyr of the anti-India, pro-democracy movement.
According to state-run BTV, million of people gathered in Dhaka for the janazah, which was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex. The funeral was attended by interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, senior government officials, political leaders and representatives of civil society.
The interim government announced a day of state mourning for Saturday, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the 32-year-old activist.
Hadi’s His killing has triggered nationwide protests and intensified anti-India sentiment, with demonstrators demanding the arrest of those responsible and accusing neighbouring India of sheltering the attackers — an allegation New Delhi has not commented on.
Authorities imposed heightened security across the capital during the funeral, deploying large numbers of police and restricting drone flights around the parliament complex, as Bangladesh grapples with one of its most volatile moments since last year’s political upheaval.
On Saturday, protest organisers announced fresh demonstrations in Dhaka and other major cities, demanding justice for Hadi and accusing neighbouring India of sheltering both the killers and the ousted former premier. Protesters are also calling on New Delhi to hand over Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in 2024.
Bangladesh police said they believe the attackers who killed Hadi fled across the border into India after the shooting, a claim that has further inflamed public sentiment. Indian authorities have not commented on the allegation.
