Dhaka, Bangladesh – Osman Hadi, a prominent leader from the 2024 Bangladeshi student uprising, died on Thursday in Singapore after succumbing to injuries sustained in an assassination attempt. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore officially confirmed that Sharif Osman Hadi passed away on December 18, 2025, despite intensive medical treatment at Singapore General Hospital. His death has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh, triggering widespread protests and prompting interim leader Muhammad Yunus to declare a state of mourning.
The Assassination Attempt on Osman Hadi
Osman Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on December 12 while traveling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw on Culvert Road in the Paltan area of the Bangladeshi capital. The brutal attack targeted the student leader as he campaigned for the upcoming February elections as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. The shooting occurred in broad daylight, highlighting the dangerous political climate in Bangladesh following the July uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
Following the attack, Osman Hadi was immediately rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment. Given the severity of his head injuries, medical professionals quickly transferred him to Evercare Hospital, where he received specialized care. However, recognizing the critical nature of his condition, authorities decided to airlift the student leader to Singapore for advanced medical intervention.
Medical Treatment in Singapore
Osman Hadi was evacuated by air from Bangladesh to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit on December 15, three days after the shooting incident. The decision to airlift him to Singapore reflected both the gravity of his injuries and the limitations of available medical facilities in Dhaka. At SGH, a team of specialists from the hospital and the National Neuroscience Institute worked tirelessly to save his life.
Despite the best efforts of the medical professionals at Singapore General Hospital, Osman Hadi could not overcome the traumatic head injuries inflicted during the assassination attempt. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement confirming his death and indicating that Singapore is currently working to assist the Bangladesh High Commission in repatriating his body back to Dhaka for final rites.
Who Was Osman Hadi?
Osman Hadi emerged as a significant figure during Bangladesh’s July 2024 student uprising, which ultimately resulted in the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. He was a prominent member and spokesperson of the anti-Hasina platform Inqilab Mancha, a group that came into sharp focus during the historic protests that reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape. His fearless activism and articulate advocacy for change made him a symbol of the youth movement.
At the time of his assassination, Osman Hadi was actively campaigning as an independent candidate for the upcoming national elections scheduled for February. His candidacy from the Dhaka-8 constituency represented his commitment to translating the revolutionary spirit of the student uprising into electoral politics. However, his political journey was cut tragically short by the assassination attempt.
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Inqilab Mancha and Political Context
Osman Hadi’s association with Inqilab Mancha placed him at the center of Bangladesh’s most contentious political movements. The organization, though labeled by some as a radical outfit, played a crucial role in the July uprising and has been at the forefront of efforts to dismantle the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina’s political party. Despite Inqilab Mancha’s significant participation in the student uprising, the Yunus interim government took the controversial decision to disband the party and bar it from contesting the national elections.
This political backdrop adds layers of complexity to understanding the assassination attempt on Osman Hadi. His prominence in the anti-Hasina movement and his role in Inqilab Mancha made him a potential target for those opposed to the changes brought about by the July uprising.
Muhammad Yunus Vows Investigation
In a solemn address to the nation following confirmation of Osman Hadi’s death, Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed profound grief and pledged a comprehensive investigation into the assassination. “Today, I came before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, is no more among us,” Yunus stated during his address.
Declaring a one-day state mourning to honor Osman Hadi’s memory, Chief Adviser Yunus vowed to apprehend the suspects responsible for the shooting. He called upon all citizens to maintain patience and restraint during this volatile period. Yunus characterized Osman Hadi as an “enemy to the defeated forces and fascist terrorists,” a pointed reference to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s now-disbanded Awami League.
Legacy and National Impact
The death of Osman Hadi represents a significant loss for Bangladesh’s student movement and democratic aspirations. His assassination and subsequent death have exposed the continuing dangers faced by political activists in the country’s evolving political landscape. The interim government’s promise to investigate the killing will test its commitment to justice and accountability.
As Bangladesh prepares to repatriate Osman Hadi’s body from Singapore, the nation grapples with questions about political violence, security for activists, and the path forward for the revolutionary ideals that he represented. His legacy as a fearless student leader will continue to inspire those who seek democratic transformation in Bangladesh.
