Dhaka, Dec 19: Fresh unrest gripped Bangladesh overnight following the death of activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi, with anti-India protests outside an Indian diplomatic mission in Chattogram and violent attacks on major media houses in Dhaka, raising concerns over security and political stability ahead of the 2026 elections.
Late Thursday night, demonstrators gathered outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram’s Khulshi area, raising anti-India slogans before police intervened and pushed them back, BD News reported. Hours later, mobs vandalised and torched the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka’s Karwanbazar area, trapping journalists inside smoke-filled buildings for several hours before the Army escorted them to safety, according to ANI.
The violence comes amid a widening wave of anti-India protests across Bangladesh, which forced the closure of Indian visa application centres in Khulna and Rajshahi on Thursday. The visa centre in Dhaka later resumed limited operations.
The unrest follows the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prominent figure of the youth-led July Uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. His death has intensified street mobilisation and heightened concerns in New Delhi over the safety of Indian diplomatic facilities and citizens in Bangladesh.
10 Key Points to Understand the Bangladesh Unrest
1. Sit-in outside Indian mission in Chattogram
Protesters staged a late night sit in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission, breaking through police barricades and raising anti-India and anti-Awami League slogans, BD News reported.
2. Attempts to march on Indian missions elsewhere
Groups attempted to move towards Indian Assistant High Commissions in Khulna, triggering heightened security alerts and the shutdown of visa services.
3. Media houses attacked in Dhaka
Mobs vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star around midnight, throwing furniture, equipment and documents onto the streets before torching the buildings.
4. Journalists trapped, rescued after hours
More than 20 journalists and staff were trapped on rooftops amid smoke and flames. Firefighters controlled the blaze around 1:40 am, after which the Army secured the area and facilitated rescues.
5. Secular and cultural institutions targeted
The offices of Chhaya Naut, a prominent secular cultural organisation, were vandalised again, fuelling fears of coordinated attacks on secular voices.
6. Political leaders’ homes attacked
Residences linked to Awami League leaders were set ablaze in Chashma Hill, Uttara and Bandarban. Protesters also used bulldozers to demolish remnants of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence at Dhanmondi 32.
7. Trigger: killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi
Hadi was shot in the head during an election campaign event in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12 and later died in Singapore, where he had been flown for advanced treatment.
8. National day of mourning declared
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced December 20 as a national day of mourning, ordering flags to fly at half-mast and special prayers after Jummah, while promising strict action against those responsible.
9. Indian visa centres shut outside Dhaka
Visa application centres in Khulna and Rajshahi were closed due to security concerns, while the Dhaka centre resumed limited operations.
10. Election backdrop heightens volatility
The unrest comes as Bangladesh prepares for national elections in February 2026 following the 2024 regime change, amplifying fears of renewed instability.