Bangladesh remained tense on Friday as the interim government announced revised funeral arrangements for slain activist Sharif Osman Hadi, stepped up security measures across Dhaka, and strongly condemned a series of violent incidents amid continuing protests.

The interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had announced a change in the schedule of the funeral prayer for Osman Hader and issued security advisories ahead of the event.

In a post shared by the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh on X, it said, "Time of Shaheed Hader's funeral prayer changed to 2 PM Dhaka, 19 December 2025: Tomorrow at 2 PM, the funeral prayer for Shaheed Osman Hader will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Earlier, it had been announced that the funeral prayer would be held at 2:30 PM."

(ANI)

A leading international human rights organisation on Friday condemned the recent series of "horrific extremist" violent incidents that occurred across Bangladesh.

In its statement, Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stated that coordinated attacks at multiple locations on Thursday nights demonstrated that Bangladesh has plunged into a state of extreme insecurity and has gravely failed to fulfill its fundamental responsibilities.

These attacks targeted the offices of the country's leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star; the national cultural institution Chhayanaut; members of minority communities; the remaining structures of the Bangabandhu Museum - an important symbol of the nation's history; and the office of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram.

The unrest broke out following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha.

(IANS)

China on Friday said it wishes to see safe, stable and smooth elections in Bangladesh, which is currently witnessing turmoil ahead of the February general elections.

China noted that Bangladesh has announced it will hold parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing, commenting on the current situation in Bangladesh.

"China wishes Bangladesh safe, stable and smooth elections and believes that various sectors of Bangladesh will properly advance important political agendas and uphold national solidarity and stability," he said.

(PTI)

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed at multiple strategic locations across Dhaka to maintain law and order ahead of the arrival of the body of slain political activist Sharif Osman Hadi from Singapore, according to bdnews24.

In a statement issued on Friday, the BGB said troops have been positioned in the airport area, Karwan Bazar, the Hotel InterContinental zone and other key points in the capital, as security concerns remain high following protests and incidents of violence triggered by the youth leader Hadi's killing.

The deployment comes as Dhaka continues to witness unrest following the death of Hadi, the convenor and spokesperson of 'Inqilab Moncho', who was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area.

(ANI)

The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC)-a partnership of over 50 countries from six continents working together to advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists all over the world-has severely criticised the attacks carried out against journalists, editors, and media houses across Bangladesh.

The strong criticism came as several media outlets and journalists in Bangladesh were targeted in arson attacks following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of a radical group, Inqilab Mancha, on Thursday.

In its joint statement, which has been shared by several diplomatic missions in Dhaka - including the German Embassy - the member countries of the coalition, including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, stated that "such acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and strike at the heart of press freedom and the public's right to be informed".

(IANS)

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said his government is ready to deal with any situation in the wake of violent protests in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Tension gripped Bangladesh on Friday after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the key leaders in the student uprising there, triggered protests and violence in various parts of the country.

"All of us know under what circumstances elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to leave her country. After Hasina's ouster, fundamentalists, criminals and thieves walked free from jails in Bangladesh. What we had anticipated is now happening in the neighbouring," the chief minister told the reporters.

(PTI)

A recent statement by Hasnat Abdullah, a leader and Southern Chief Organiser of Bangladesh's newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), warning that India's northeastern "Seven Sisters" could be isolated if Bangladesh were "destabilised", has triggered concern among regional observers, according to the report by the Times of Israel.

Analysts say the remarks reflect a deeper shift in Bangladesh's political and social landscape following last year's political transition. Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and the subsequent assumption of authority by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has witnessed increasingly hardline rhetoric, a resurgence of Islamist networks, and a marked rise in violence against religious minorities.

(ANI)

Citing media reports, the US Embassy in Dhaka stated that Hadi's body was expected to arrive in Dhaka on Friday evening. His funeral prayers, it said, are likely to be held on Manik Mia Avenue in front of the National Parliament Building on Saturday.

"Extremely heavy traffic is expected in the area and throughout Dhaka. Large spontaneous or planned gatherings are likely throughout Bangladesh," said the embassy.

"Individuals are encouraged to review scheduled travel through and around Dhaka during the above-listed timeframes and allow additional time for possible delays. US citizens should practice vigilance and remember that gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings," it added.

(IANS)

Bangladesh was rocked by widespread unrest after Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth figure associated with the country's 2024 pro-democracy movement, died from injuries sustained in an assassination attempt.

Protesters rallied across Bangladesh on Friday for a second straight day, calling for the arrest of the gunmen who shot and killed a key figure in last year's pro-democracy uprising.

As news spread that 32-year-old student leader Sharif Osman Hadi died in hospital in Singapore on Thursday, crowds took to the streets in an outpouring of mourning and anger.

Several buildings were vandalised, including the offices of media outlets deemed to favour India -- the old ally of Bangladesh's ousted leadership.

(AFP)

As unrest grips Bangladesh, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has urged people to resist acts of mob violence, warning that such actions threaten to derail the country's democratic process.

Amid anti-India protests in Bangladesh, a young Hindu man was killed in a mob lynching in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district over allegations of insulting Islam. Angry protestors then set the body of Dipu Chandra Das, 30, on fire.

Bangladesh is on the edge following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a top leader of the Bangladesh student uprising last year. While more information on the killers is yet to be revealed, Indian agencies are of the opinion that the killing may be an internal hit.

The murder led to widespread violence in Dhaka, and those targeted included pro-India individuals, the neutral media, Hindus, and Awami League supporters and properties belonging to the party.

(IANS)

Bangladesh's Interim Government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's key aide and Press Advisor Shafiqul Alam has apologised for the chaos and destruction unleashed by radical mobs in Dhaka.

Reacting to the violent protest in Bangladesh that left at least four people injured, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, on Friday, described the incident as a tragic event.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Union Minister Singh said, "This is a tragic event. It is especially concerning for those who frequently speak about secularism within India. Such incidents raise serious questions and should be reflected upon carefully."

(IANS)

Hundreds of indigenous youth and students on Friday staged a protest in front of the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, condemning recent alleged threats and derogatory remarks made by Hasnat Abdullah, a Bangladeshi leader of the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP). Addressing Friday's protest, YTF president Suraj Debbarma said that the new generation in Bangladesh appeared to have forgotten that the country was formed with India's support and the sacrifices of the Indian Army during the 1971 Liberation War. Read more

The Hindu man lynched in the protests was identified as Dipu Chandra Das. Citing local and eyewitness sources, Bangladeshi Bengali media outlet Barta Bazar reported that Dipu was accused of making derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during an event at the factory marking World Arabic Language Day. Read more

The interim government in Bangladesh on Friday condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in the ongoing protests. "We wholeheartedly condemn lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh. There is no space for such violence in new Bangladesh. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared," the government said in a post on Facebook. The Hindu man was lynched by a mob over allegations of insulting Islam. 

Protesters have again attacked the office of leading media house The Daily Star in Dhaka. 

🔴#BREAKING | Bangladesh media office Daily Star attacked again in Dhaka
NDTV's @AdityaRajKaul joins @SehgalRahesha with more details pic.twitter.com/ooS3b4YJaA

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 19, 2025

The Daily Star Notice to readers after their office was attacked by Mob last night and the building gutted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/P0Bq8h5k01

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 19, 2025

The United States (US) embassy in Dhaka expressed condolences over the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. In a post on X, the embassy said, "The US Embassy joins the people of Bangladesh in mourning the loss of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and offers our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and supporters."

The U.S. Embassy joins the people of Bangladesh in mourning the loss of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and offers our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and supporters. pic.twitter.com/gpkdn2njqD

— U.S. Embassy Dhaka (@usembassydhaka) December 19, 2025

Sharif Osman Hadi was a leader of the student group Inqilab Mancha. Inqilab Mancha distanced itself from the violence that erupted at the Dhaka protests, blaming opportunists for trying to derail the demonstrations.

In a statement posted on social media, the group said, "They essentially want to turn Bangladesh into a dysfunctional state through vandalism and arson. They want to endanger the independence and sovereignty of this country."

Members of the Youth TIPRA Federation protested in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, condemning divisive and derogatory remarks alleged made by Bangladeshi leaders about the Seven Sisters of North East India. Raising slogans and displaying placards, the protesters expressed strong resentment over statements they said hurt the sentiments and dignity of the people of the region. The protest concluded peacefully under tight security arrangements. 

The interim government in Bangladesh, which is led by Muhammad Yunus, has been grappling with protests over delayed reforms, and warnings of unrest by ousted leader Sheikh Hasina's party the Awami League, which has been barred from the vote. Elections in the country are scheduled for February 12. 

Four people, including two police officers, were injured after violence erupted outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong. According to the police, the protesters gathered outside the Indian mission’s office in the Khulshi area of Chittagong hurled bricks, vandalising the office premises in the early hours of Friday.

The police said that the protesters gathered outside the Commission, hurled bricks, and vandalised the premises in the early hours of Friday. Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz said that a police intervention resulted in a chase and counter-chase between law enforcement officers and protesters.

Aziz added that the police detained people at the scene, who are expected to be booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act. 

Three leading media houses in Bangladesh- The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, and The Business Standard, will not be printing their Friday edition amid the unrest in Bangladesh. The protesters had vandalised the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

In a statement, Prothom Alo said, "As the office of Prothom Alo was subjected to massive attacks, vandalism and arson last night, it was not possible to continue its normal operations. Therefore, the printed version of Prothom Alo could not be published today. Its online portal is also temporarily closed."

"We express our sincere apologies to our readers for this. We will restore the damaged technical system as soon as possible and resume publication of Prothom Alo online and in the newspaper. We seek the cooperation of our readers in this regard," the publication added.

Though the office of The Business Standard was not attacked, the media house said it would not be printing the Friday edition as the press was shut down due to security concerns. 

The body of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi will be brought back to Bangladesh on Friday evening, according to reports. 

Several protesters were seen blocking roads in Dhaka's Shahbagh area on Friday, following the violence that unfolded after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. According to a report by BBC News Bangla, around 200 protesters were seen blocking the roads in Shahbagh. 

Massive has been deployed outside the Indian Assistant high Commission in Bangladesh's Chittagong. The army has been deployed outside the premises. Earlier, a group of protesters staged a sit-in outside the Commission following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The protesters gathered outside the commission's office at around 11 pm local time on Thursday.

Massive security deployment now outside Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, Bangladesh after last night’s attempted attack and stone pelting. Army has been deployed. pic.twitter.com/jSzrxVbYOx

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 19, 2025

Nurul Kabir, the editor of Bangladesh's New Age Newspaper, was attacked by mobs on Thursday. A video showed protestors pulling his Kabir's hair, and slapping him.

Editor of New Age Newspaper of Bangaldesh Nurul Kabir being attacked by mobsters. pic.twitter.com/gM0Bn7MJkz

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 18, 2025

The ancestral house of Bangladesh's founding president Mujibur Rahman was vandalised again. This location was attacked at least three times before and completely gutted and ransacked. There have also been reports of attack on Awami League offices across Bangladesh.

#BREAKING: Angry students set fire, vandalized Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. This is the ancestral place of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. This location was attacked at least three times before and completely gutted and ransacked. Reports of attacks on Awami League offices across Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/5uCxZcN02m

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 18, 2025

The latest unrest in Bangladesh happened following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on Thursday. Last week, Hadi was shot by masked assailants in Dhaka. He was first taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Hadi had been a key figure in the 2024 uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. He was a candidate in the upcoming elections in the country. He was known for his anti-India rhetoric. 

The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh issued an advisory late Thursday, urging Indian community members and Indian students residing in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and minimise movement outside their living premises.

A group of protesters staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Bangladesh's Chattogram following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. A report by the news agency PTI said that the protesters gathered outside the commission's office at around 11 pm local time on Thursday. Police moved quickly to the scene after learning of the sit-in. 

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh has declared Saturday a day of state mourning in honour of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with national flags to be flown at half-mast and special prayers planned across the country. 

The protesters in Bangladesh vandalised the offices of the country's biggest media houses- the Daily Star and Prothom Alo. A fire broke out at the office of Daily Star. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a journalist with the Daily Star said, "I can't breathe anymore. There's too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me." The fire at the Daily Star building was brought under control at 1:40 am local time on Thursday firefighting officials said. Read more

The Bangladesh Police have launched a manhunt for the masked assailants who killed student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The police released photographs of two key suspects and offering a reward of five million taka (about $42,000) for information leading to their arrest.

Reacting to Hadi's death, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus said, "His passing represents an irreplaceable loss to the nation's political and democratic sphere." Yunus ensured a transparent investigation into Hadi's death and urged citizens to remain calm. 

In Dhaka, videos circulating on social media showed mobs vandalising the offices of Bangladesh's largest daily newspaper, Prothom Alo, as well as the Daily Star.

Hadi, a student leader during last year's uprising that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government, was shot in the head by masked assailants last Friday as he launched his election campaign in Dhaka. He died late Thursday after being flown to Singapore for treatment. 

Bangladesh has been rocked by violent protests since late Thursday after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with concerns of further unrest ahead of national elections in the country.