Bangladesh: Dhaka Tense As Osman Hadi Funeral Draws Large Crowds, Security Heightened

Dhaka is witnessing a fragile calm today as the funeral of slain Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi takes place, amid heightened political tensions and mounting criticism of the interim government's handling of security.

Hadi was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Bijoynagar. Despite being flown to Singapore by air ambulance three days later for advanced medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries. His death has triggered widespread outrage, with waves of protests erupting across the capital. Demonstrations intensified on Friday as his body was returned to Dhaka, where activists demanded justice and accountability for the killing.

Although Inqilab Moncho has urged its supporters to maintain peace during Saturday's funeral procession, the atmosphere in the city remains tense. Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, and the government is under pressure to prevent further unrest.

Citizen organisations have amplified calls for accountability, demanding the resignation of the home adviser. In a joint statement issued Friday, 16 groups-including Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, Network for Democratic Bangladesh, Naripokkho, Association for Land Reform and Development, University Teachers' Network, Nagarik Coalition, and Voice for Reform-expressed alarm at the deterioration of public safety. They warned that vested interests were exploiting the crisis for political gain and destabilisation.

The statement further noted that even a year after the July Uprising, the interim government had failed to ensure citizens' security against forces linked to the ousted Awami League and other actors at home and abroad.

The press has also come under attack. Bangladesh's Editors' Council and the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) strongly condemned the vandalism and arson targeting the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. They described the incidents as a grave threat to press freedom and urged immediate action to protect journalists and media institutions.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has alleged that the violence following Hadi's killing is part of a broader conspiracy aimed at creating uncertainty ahead of parliamentary elections. At a press conference late Friday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir denounced the incidents as "heinous" and accused a long‑identified group of deliberately pushing the country toward chaos.

As Inqilab Moncho cadres prepare to gather for Hadi's funeral, the interim government faces one of its most difficult tests. With political tensions rising, citizen groups demanding accountability, and the media under attack, Dhaka waits anxiously to see whether peace can prevail during this critical moment.