Tens of Thousands Participate in Funeral of Student Leader Killed in Bangladesh

Dhaka (AFP) - Massive crowds gathered in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Saturday to participate in the funeral of a student leader who was shot dead, amid tight security measures following two days of angry protests demanding justice for his killing.

Tens of thousands joined the funeral procession of student Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the prominent figures of last year's uprising, who was preparing to run in the general elections scheduled for February.

Hadi died on Thursday in a hospital in Singapore where he had been transferred after masked gunmen shot him and inflicted serious injuries while he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka last week.

Interim government chief Mohammad Yunus said in an emotional speech, "We did not come here to say goodbye... You are in our hearts and will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis as long as this nation exists."

Police officers equipped with body cameras were deployed in the area, and flags were flown at half-mast on a national day of mourning, before Hadi was later buried at the central mosque of Dhaka University.

Hadi (32) was known for his sharp criticisms of India, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resides after fleeing Dhaka following the 2024 uprising.

Iqbal Hussain Saikot, a government employee who came to the capital to attend the funeral, told AFP he believes Hadi was killed because of his strong opposition to India.

Saikot (34) added, "Millions of Bangladeshis who love this land and defend its sovereignty will continue to follow in Hadi's footsteps."

Following Hadi's killing, protests erupted across the country demanding the arrest of those responsible.

Police said they launched a manhunt but have not announced any progress so far.

On Thursday, several buildings in Dhaka were set on fire, including the offices of the journalists of "Prothom Alo" and "The Daily Star," who have been criticized for favoring New Delhi.

Chaos

Angry crowds also attacked cultural institutions and the home of a former minister.

This week, the country also witnessed the killing of a Hindu garment worker following accusations of blasphemy, amid rising anti-India sentiments in the Muslim-majority country.

Yunus said seven suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of worker Debu Chandra Das in the Mymensingh area in central Bangladesh on Thursday.

Amnesty International expressed concern on Saturday over Das's killing and called on the interim government to conduct "urgent, comprehensive, independent, and impartial" investigations into Hadi's murder and the subsequent violence.

Political parties condemned the violence, expressing concern about security and public order ahead of the elections, which will be the first held since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party accused a "long-known group," possibly referring to Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, of trying to "push the country towards chaos."

The Awami League party has been banned from participating in the upcoming elections.

Nahid Islam, coordinator of the National Citizens Party, largely founded by students who participated in the 2024 uprising, criticized the government for failing to control rogue elements.

In a statement, he said, "There are elements within the government who oppose the popular uprising and are actively working against it."

Relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated since the uprising, with Dhaka demanding New Delhi extradite Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of crimes against humanity.

Hasina (78) condemned her trial and the verdict, calling it a "judicial farce," and vowed to continue serving her people.

A 20-year-old student told AFP during Friday's demonstration that he believes Hadi's killers are also hiding in India.