Bangladesh held the funeral of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on Saturday, drawing large crowds to the capital under heightened security after his death sparked unrest across the country. Violent protests rocked Dhaka and major cities after the announcement of Hadi's death on Thursday, six days after gunmen shot him. A candidate in the February 12 general election, Hadi was shot in the head by masked gunmen on December 12 while launching his campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. According to television footage, the janaza was held after Hadi's body was brought after an autopsy at the state-run Suhrawardy Hospital. Hadi's elder brother Abu Bakar conducted the janaza and soon after the ritual, the body was quickly brought to Dhaka University campus under stringent security escorts for burial.

Source: Indian Express December 20, 2025 18:53 UTC