Bangladesh on Edge After Osman Hadi’s Burial; Supporters Give Yunus Govt 24-Hour Ultimatum

Tensions escalated in Bangladesh's capital on Saturday following the burial of Sharif Osman Hadi, as his supporters issued a strong warning to the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, demanding swift action against those responsible for his killing.

After the completion of Hadi's final rites, supporters gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest all the accused, failing which they warned of a nationwide protest. They said their patience had run out and insisted that the authorities act decisively within the given timeframe. "If all the killers are not arrested within 24 hours, a massive movement will be launched," supporters of Hadi said.

Hadi's funeral prayers concluded on Saturday afternoon in Dhaka and witnessed a large turnout of mourners. The prayer service was held for the Inqilab Moncho convenor, and in line with the family's wishes, he was laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

From early morning, people arrived in groups at Manik Mia Avenue, and the road in front of the Parliament complex soon filled with mourners. Many participants draped themselves in the national flag, while others raised slogans demanding justice for Hadi's killing.

State mourning observed

Saturday was observed as a day of state mourning following Hadi's death. National flags were flown at half-mast across the country, and special prayers were organised at places of worship. The day passed relatively peacefully in Dhaka after two consecutive days of protests by supporters of the Inqilab Moncho.

Ahead of the funeral prayers, personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh and the police were deployed at the Parliament building and other sensitive locations across the capital, ANI reported citing BDNews24. As per instructions issued by the Inqilab Moncho, only the national flag of Bangladesh was displayed during the funeral prayer service.

Killing triggered nationwide unrest

Hadi had recently announced his intention to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. He was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling by rickshaw in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area. According to police, two assailants arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire and fled the scene, BDNews24 reported.

His killing triggered protests and unrest across Bangladesh, leading authorities to step up security measures amid fears of further escalation.