Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a July revolutionary and anti-imperialist activist, and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, was laid to rest on Saturday amid an outpouring of love, respect, and grief from millions across Bangladesh.He was buried around 3:15 pm beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near Dhaka University. Earlier, his funeral prayer (janaza) was held at 2:30 pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, led by his elder brother Abu Bakar Siddiq.The janaza was attended by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, several advisers of the interim government, leaders of various political parties, social and cultural organisations, as well as thousands of ordinary citizens. Members of Hadi’s family and activists of Inqilab Mancha were also present.
Before the janaza, speeches were delivered by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Hadi’s brother Abu Bakar Siddiq. Recalling his brother’s memories, Siddiq sought prayers for Hadi’s departed soul.
As the funeral proceedings began, the entire area turned into a scene of uncontrollable grief. The grounds in front of the Parliament Plaza were filled beyond capacity. Many people, unable to enter the venue, stood tearfully along Manik Mia Avenue, participating in the janaza from afar.
Following the prayer, Hadi’s body was transported by ambulance to the burial site. People continued to weep during the burial—some crying to catch one last glimpse of him, others breaking down openly. Many failed to hide their tears.
Manik Mia Avenue that day resembled a microcosm of Bangladesh itself. Former DUCSU Vice President Sadik Qayem was seen breaking down in tears. NCP Convener Nahid Islam, southern regional organiser Hasnat Abdullah, northern organiser Sarjis Alam, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and members of various political and social organisations, including Barrister Fuad, were also visibly emotional.
The grief was not limited to the funeral alone. Since Hadi’s death, mourning has spread from home to home across Bangladesh. Mothers came out onto the streets crying and demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. Elderly people could not stay indoors. Some parents carried their children on their shoulders while chanting for justice. A common slogan echoed everywhere:
“We want our Hadi. One Hadi is gone, but millions of Hadis will rise.”
Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes and mourning messages. People from all walks of life are grieving his loss. In one viral video, a man is seen walking down the street with his child on his shoulders, crying and shouting, “We want our Hadi. Bangladesh needs Hadi. We love Bangladesh, and Bangladesh needs Hadi.”
Another video shows an elderly woman breaking down in tears during a press conference while demanding justice for Hadi’s murder. Even those who had never personally known him but learned that he was a frontline leader of the mass uprising and a vocal opponent of Indian aggression expressed deep sorrow.
Even Shahbagh, once known as a stronghold of fascist forces, witnessed scenes of public mourning.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi was a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming national parliamentary election. On December 12, after Friday prayers, he was shot while travelling by auto-rickshaw for election campaigning in the capital’s Bijoynagar area. He was critically injured by gunfire allegedly carried out by Faisal Karim Masud.
After battling for his life for seven consecutive days, Hadi succumbed to his injuries on Thursday night at 9:30 pm (Bangladesh time) at Singapore General Hospital.
A frontline fighter of the July 2024 mass uprising, Hadi later founded Inqilab Mancha and became widely known for his outspoken stance against Indian dominance and fascism. He was a regular guest on television talk shows, and many of his debate clips went viral on social media. He was also a likely independent contender in the 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-8.
About a month before the attack, Hadi had publicly disclosed receiving death threats. In a Facebook post last November, he stated that he had received threatening calls and messages from at least 30 domestic and foreign numbers, alleging that cadres of the Awami League were monitoring him constantly. Despite the threats, he vowed not to retreat from his fight for justice.
Following the shooting, Hadi was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, then to Evercare Hospital. Due to his critical condition, the government arranged his transfer to Singapore, but despite all medical efforts, he could not survive.
The main suspects in the killing—former Chhatra League leader Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Sheikh—are believed to have fled to India, according to multiple sources.
Hadi’s body was brought back to Bangladesh on December 19 and kept at the mortuary of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.