Thousands Attend Funeral of Bangladeshi Student Leader Amid Unrest

Dhaka: Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the Bangladeshi capital on Saturday to attend the funeral of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, following two days of violent protests over his killing.

Hadi, a prominent figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising, was shot by masked gunmen while leaving a mosque in Dhaka and later died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday. His body was brought to the capital on Friday and buried at the central mosque of Dhaka University. Police wearing body cameras were deployed outside the parliament building where funeral prayers were held.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to Hadi, saying, “We have not come here to say goodbye. You are in our hearts and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.”

Hadi, 32, was an outspoken critic of India and was set to contest the general elections in February. Supporters claim he was killed due to his strong opposition to Indian influence in Bangladesh.

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His death has sparked widespread unrest, with protesters demanding the arrest of those responsible. On Thursday, demonstrators set fire to several buildings in Dhaka, including the offices of major newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, accused of favoring India.

Amnesty International called on Bangladesh’s interim government to conduct a “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial” investigation into Hadi’s killing and the subsequent violence. The rights group also expressed concern over the lynching of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, allegedly over blasphemy claims.

Yunus confirmed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with Das’s killing in Mymensingh district.