How Hadi’s killing pushed Bangladesh into street unrest, with anti-India protests and media attacks

Fresh unrest broke out in Bangladesh overnight, with protests outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram and violent attacks on media houses in Dhaka. Demonstrators gathered near the mission in the port city late Thursday, raising anti-India slogans before police pushed them back, BD News reported.

Hours later, mobs vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in the capital’s Karwanbazar area, trapping journalists inside for hours before the Army escorted them out, according to ANI.

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The violence comes as anti-India protests continue to ripple across the country, forcing the shutdown of Indian visa application centres in Khulna and Rajshahi on Thursday, even as the Dhaka centre resumed operations after a brief closure.

The unrest follows the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a July Uprising figure and Inqilab Mancha spokesperson, whose killing has intensified street mobilisation and deepened concerns in New Delhi about the security environment in Bangladesh ahead of the February 2026 elections.

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10 points to understand what’s unfolding in Bangladesh

1. Protests outside Indian mission in Chattogram

Demonstrators staged a late-night sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram’s Khulshi area on Thursday, breaking through police barricades and raising anti-India and anti-Awami League slogans, BD News reported.

Bangladesh: Protesters hold sit-in outside Indian Assistant HC in Chattogram

2. Attempted marches toward Indian missions elsewhere

Mobs also attempted to move toward Indian Assistant High Commissions in Khulna, triggering security alerts and shutdowns of visa facilities, according to Indian High Commission officials.

3. Media houses attacked in Dhaka

Mobs vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Karwanbazar around midnight, with furniture, documents and equipment thrown onto the streets before the buildings were torched, ANI reported.

4. Journalists trapped, then rescued after hours

At least 20 journalists and staff members were trapped on rooftops amid smoke and flames. Fire service units brought the blaze under control around 1:40 am, after which the Army secured the area and facilitated rescues.

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5. Secular and cultural institutions targeted

The offices of Chhaya Naut, a leading secular cultural organisation, were vandalised again, reinforcing fears of systematic attacks on secular voices during the unrest.

6. Political leaders’ homes attacked

Protesters attacked and set fire to residences linked to Awami League leaders, including the home of former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel in Chashma Hill and properties linked to party figures in Uttara and Bandarban. In Dhaka, protesters also moved against political symbols, using bulldozers to demolish what remained of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence at Dhanmondi 32.

7. Trigger: death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi

Hadi died in Singapore after being shot in the head during an election campaign event in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12. He had established himself as a leading figure of the youth-led July Uprising.

8. National day of mourning announced

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared Saturday, December 20, a national day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and special prayers after Jummah on Friday, vowing strict action against those responsible.

9. Visa centres shut outside Dhaka

India’s visa application centres in Khulna and Rajshahi were shut on Thursday due to the deteriorating security situation, while the Dhaka centre resumed limited operations.

10. Election backdrop adds to volatility

The unrest comes at a sensitive moment, with Bangladesh preparing for elections in February 2026 after the 2024 regime change, fuelling fears of fresh instability.