Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised when a group of protesters staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram, Bangladesh, following the death of activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
Hadi was the convener of Inqilab Moncho, BD News reported. He was attacked last Friday (December 12) while campaigning in Bijoynagar.
According to news agency ANI, an assailant on a moving motorcycle shot dead Hadi, who was traveling in a battery-powered rickshaw. The bullet hit his head.
Hadi came to the fore during the July Uprising and Movement demanding a ban on the Awami League. Hadi was a key figure in last year’s uprising that ended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule and sent her fleeing to India.
Hadi announced plans to contest the February 2026 Bangladesh parliamentary elections as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency.
In a statement posted on Inqilab Moncho’s Facebook page, the platform said Hadi was “martyred” in the so-called “fight against Indian hegemony,” as reported by BD News.
Anti-India slogans were raised
A group of protesters gathered in front of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Khulshi, the port city of Chattogram, around 11pm on Thursday. After learning about the demonstration, the police quickly moved to the spot.
The protests began shortly before 11 pm, ANI reported. Another group of protesters simultaneously took up position at Gate No. 2, police told BD News.
Those who gathered outside India’s Assistant High Commission shouted slogans protesting Hadi’s killing along with anti-Awami League and anti-India slogans.
The police later intervened and pushed the protesters back from the premises.
Khulshi Police Chief Shahin Alam told BD News that those who were outside the high commission were removed. He added that policemen remained deployed in the area to maintain order, as reported by BD News.
Earlier, on December 17, a large group of protesters marching towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was stopped by police, despite India expressing strong concerns over the security situation around its mission in the Bangladeshi capital.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) then summoned Bangladeshi envoy Riaz Hamidullah and expressed its strong concern over some extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
Private news agency UNB quoted one protester as saying: “We are not scared and we will not attack the Indian High Commission… But if anyone tries to maintain hegemonic control over Bangladesh, they will not be spared.”
Big media offices on fire
The offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star were reportedly attacked and vandalized in the capital’s Karwanbazar. The Daily Star building was set on fire, Nagorik reported.
Protesters have accused two media houses – Prothom Alo and Daily Star – of siding with neighboring India, where Hasina has taken refuge. They are also demanding the extradition of Hasina. Protesters also set fire to the residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The attack on Prothom Ala’s office began around midnight on Thursday. He was later attacked by the Daily Star.
Following the news of the death of Inquilab spokesman Mancha Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a group of people gathered outside the newspaper’s offices and attacked them, according to Nagorik.
Live videos circulating on social media show people attacking and vandalizing with sticks. The fire was also seen on the road outside Prothom Alo. In addition, according to Nagorik, some employees are trapped in two offices.
Zyma Islam, a Daily Star reporter, said she was trapped inside the burning building. The fire at the Daily Star building was brought under control by 1:40 a.m. (2040 GMT), fire officials said. However, there were still 27 employees inside.
“I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I’m inside. You’re killing me,” she wrote on her Facebook.
The home of India’s deputy ambassador to Bangladesh was also surrounded by hundreds of people who tried to demonstrate in a sit-in, but police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, according to local reports.
