Sharif Osman Hadi, a pivotal figure in the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government, passed away late Thursday night at Singapore General Hospital. His death has plunged Bangladesh into a fresh wave of unrest, just as the nation prepares for its first post-revolution general elections in February 2026.
Hadi, 32, had been battling for his life since a brazen daylight assassination attempt in the heart of Dhaka last week.
The Face of Inqilab Mancha
Sharif Osman Hadi was the convener and primary spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, a youth-led political platform that emerged from the "July Revolution." He was widely regarded as a "fearless frontline fighter" and a vocal advocate for the constitutional banning of the Awami League.
- Political Ambition: At the time of the attack, Hadi was campaigning as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency for the upcoming February 12, 2026, elections.
- Ideology: He was known for his staunch "anti-hegemony" stance, frequently criticizing what he termed as Indian interference in Bangladeshi internal affairs.
- Influence: His platform, Inqilab Mancha, focused on securing justice for the "July Martyrs" and pushing for systemic reforms to ensure an "Insaaf-based" (justice-based) state.
The Assassination Attempt
The attack occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, at approximately 2:25 PM in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area.
- The Incident: As Hadi was leaving a mosque in a battery-powered rickshaw, three masked assailants on motorcycles opened fire.
- The Injury: A bullet entered near his left ear and exited through the right side of his head, causing catastrophic damage to his brain stem.
- Medical Journey: After emergency surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the interim government facilitated his airlifting to Singapore on December 15. Despite a final "last-ditch" surgery, he was pronounced dead at 9:45 PM (Bangladesh time) on December 18.
National Reaction: Martyrdom and Mourning
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation shortly after the news broke, referring to Hadi as an "immortal soldier" of the struggle against fascism.
"His demise is an irreparable loss for the nation. The country's march toward democracy cannot be halted through fear or bloodshed," Yunus stated.
The government has declared Saturday, December 20, as a day of national mourning. However, the sentiment on the streets remains volatile. Protesters in Dhaka have already targeted media offices and diplomatic missions, demanding the immediate arrest of the killers, whom they believe have ties to the former regime and foreign operatives.
