Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was a Bangladeshi youth leader whose death on 18 December 2025 has caused nationwide unrest
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, also known as Osman Hadi, was Bangladeshi student activist and youth leader. He emerged as a prominent face of the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government.
His killing in December 2025 triggered widespread unrest across Bangladesh. The interim government later announced a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
Born on June 30, 1993, Hadi completed his early education at Jhalakati N S Kamil Madrasa. He cleared the Alim examination before enrolling at the University of Dhaka, where he studied Political Science.
Alongside student politics, Hadi pursued literary interests. In 2024, he published a poetry collection titled Lavay Lalshak Puber Akash under the pen name Shimanto Sharif. The work received modest attention among student and activist circles.
Role in the 2024 uprising
Hadi rose to national prominence during the July 2024 protests. The movement began as opposition to government job quota policies and later expanded into a broader anti-government campaign.
As a resident coordinator for organisational activities in Dhaka’s Rampura area, Hadi became a vocal advocate for students killed during the crackdown. He often referred to them as the “July martyrs.”
Hadi openly criticised what he described as excessive Indian influence in Bangladesh’s political affairs. He frequently portrayed the Awami League as aligned with foreign interests.
On August 13, 2024, Hadi co-founded Inqilab Moncho (Revolution Platform). The youth-led organisation called for national sovereignty, an end to authoritarianism, and an “Insaaf-based state” centred on justice and accountability.
The platform later joined the July Unity Coalition. The alliance brought together civil society groups demanding structural reforms, including a permanent ban on the Awami League.
Throughout 2025, Hadi remained a combative voice in national politics. He accused newly formed political groups, including the National Citizen Party, of exploiting the legacy of the 2024 uprising for electoral gain.
At press conferences and rallies at the University of Dhaka, he called for a national unity government of anti–Awami League forces. He also demanded investigations into protest killings and the arrest of figures he accused of aiding the former regime.
Ahead of the 2026 general elections, Hadi announced his decision to contest the Dhaka-8 constituency as an independent candidate. He pledged to fight corruption through community engagement rather than traditional parliamentary politics.
Assassination and death
On December 12, 2025, at around 2:25 pm, gunmen shot Hadi in the head as he exited a mosque in Dhaka’s Paltan area. The attackers fled on a motorcycle.
Police later identified three suspects. They named Faisal Karim Masud as the alleged shooter and Alamgir Sheikh as the motorcycle driver. Investigators also identified a third individual, known as Rubel, who allegedly conducted surveillance.
Authorities said the suspects had links to the Awami League. The investigation into those claims remains ongoing.
Hadi had reportedly received death threats before the attack, including warnings directed at his family. Despite this, he had publicly said intimidation would not silence him.
Doctors rushed Hadi to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. He registered a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 and later moved to Evercare Hospital.
On December 15, authorities airlifted him to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment. He died from his injuries on December 18, 2025, at 9:30 pm. He was 32.
After his death, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus condemned the killing. It announced a reward of BDT 5 million for information leading to the arrest of Hadi’s killers.
In a public statement, Yunus urged restraint. He warned that further violence could derail Bangladesh’s fragile political transition after the 2024 uprising.
Unrest after his death
Hadi’s killing sparked protests and riots across several parts of the country, particularly in Dhaka. The unrest revived memories of the turmoil seen during the 2024 movement.
Demonstrators attacked media houses, cultural institutions, and properties linked to Awami League leaders. Several protests also featured strong anti-India slogans.
The interim government condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with affected journalists and institutions. It reiterated its commitment to a lawful investigation into Hadi’s murder.
As Bangladesh prepares for Hadi’s funeral, tensions remain high. His death has become a rallying point for sections of the youth movement and highlights the volatility of the country’s post-Hasina transition.
