United News of Bangladesh

A doctor of Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar has been temporarily dismissed for allegedly making objectionable comments about Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8. Dr Tajin Afroz Shah, was relieved from her duties through a notice signed by the Principal of Enam Medical College, Professor Dr Md Motahar Hossain Bhuiyan, on Friday (December 19). According to the notice, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah has been temporarily dismissed from the Department of Medicine for making objectionable comments about Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi on Facebook. The order came into effect from December 19, 2024. She has also been asked to show cause within seven working days as to why she should not be permanently dismissed from her position. In addition, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah has been removed from the post of secretary general of Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF). Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He was shot in Dhaka on December 12. Following his death, a screenshot of an alleged Facebook comment from Dr Tajin Afroz Shah’s account, criticising Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. However, Dr Tajin Afroz Shah claimed that her Facebook account had been hacked. Later, she posted on the same account stating that unknown individuals had hacked her ID and demanded money. She described the circulated comments as “disgusting” and expressed her regret over the incident.

The two-day Hason Raja Folk Festival–2025 will begin in Sylhet on Sunday, marking the birth anniversary of renowned Sufi poet Hason Raja. Organised by the Hason Raja Folk Literature and Culture Council, the festival will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Chowhatta area of the city. Programmes will run daily from 3:30pm to 10:00pm. The festival will showcase various aspects of Hason Raja’s life, philosophy and folk heritage through discussions, cultural performances, recitations and renditions of his songs. Dr Jahirul Islam Achinpuri, president of the central committee of the Hasan Raja Folk Literature and Culture Council, said Hasan Raja’s birthday falls on December 21. He said the council has been working to revive Bengal’s traditional Sufi culture with the aim of promoting a non-violent, intellectual, creator-centred and afterlife-centred society. Researchers, artists, litterateurs and cultural activists from different parts of the country are expected to participate in the festival, he added, noting that enthusiasm has already been created in Sylhet’s cultural arena surrounding the event. 56 migratory birds freed from poachers and released in Sylhet Dr Achinpuri also said the festival was originally scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 20, but was deferred by a day in observance of the National Mourning Day announced by the government for the demise of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The organisers urged people from all walks of life to attend the festival with their families.  

Abu Bakar Siddique, the elder brother of Inquilab Moncho Sharif Osman Hadi, on Saturday (December 20, 2025) questioned the failure to arrest the killers even after seven to eight days of the shooting. “If criminals can open fire after Jum’a prayers in the heart of Dhaka and escape, there can be no greater disgrace for us as a nation,” he said while addressing thousands of mourners before the namaz-e-janaza of Hadi at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. He also demanded a quick and public trial of those responsible for the killing. Read more: Hadi laid to rest beside National Poet’s grave at DU Siddique said his younger brother had devoted his life to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and left behind a message for the country’s people on how to safeguard the freedom. Hadi is survived by an eight-month-old child who will never know his father, he said, adding, “When the child was born, my brother asked me to choose a name reflecting revolutionary spirit and courage. I named him Firnas.” He said the family has been shattered by the loss, with their mother repeatedly losing consciousness and other siblings suffering severe trauma. He urged people to pray for Hadi’s wife and child, for his injured brother Omar Faruk who was with him during the attack and for his sister Masuma, who is undergoing treatment for severe trauma. Siddique led the janaza prayers around 2:30 pm. ‘Hadi, you’ll never be lost; no one will ever be able to forget you’: Prof Yunus Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain described Hadi as a poet and cultural activist who co-founded the Inquilab Cultural Center to help shape a new cultural narrative for the country. Inquilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al-Jaber alleged that the killing was the result of a planned conspiracy involving multiple actors. He demanded that the killers, planners and facilitators be brought to justice and urged the Home Affairs Adviser and other officials to publicly explain within 24 hours what steps have been taken so far. He also called on supporters to refrain from violence and warned against acting on any propaganda outside Inquilab Mancha’s directives, saying future programmes would be announced by the platform. Read more: Bangladesh mourns death of Osman Hadi

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said martyr Sharif Osman Hadi would never be forgotten, stressing that he will remain alive through the lessons he left for the nation. “Dear Hadi, you wanted to take part in the election. In expressing your desire to contest, you also taught us how elections should be conducted. Let us all accept that process,” Prof Yunus said while speaking before the namaz-e-janaza of Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. He said Hadi demonstrated how to run an election campaign and how to connect closely with people. “By embracing the lessons you gave us, we ensure that you remain alive in our memories. Hadi, you will never be lost. No one will ever be able to forget you. You will remain with us for decades,” Prof Yunus added. The Chief Adviser also said they would continue walking on the path of national progress while remembering Hadi. Thousands of people from different walks of life joined the Janaza at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad. Many arrived in processions, chanting slogans demanding justice for Hadi and vowing that his death would not go in vain. Describing Hadi as a hero, Prof Yunus said they have not come here to bid him farewell. “You are in our hearts and as long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis. No one can remove this.” “We have not come to bid you farewell today, dear Hadi. We have come to promise you that we will be able to fulfill what you have said,” he added. Prof Yunus said the people of the country have praised Hadi’s political vision and it should always be awake in everyone’s mind so that everyone can follow it. The Chief Adviser also said that Hadi has given such a mantra to the ears, which the people of the country will never forget. “It will always ring in their ears. It will be connected to the nation as a big mantra. Hadi’s mantra was, ‘Chiro Unnoto Momo Shir’. That head will never bow. That mantra will be proven in all works. Bangladesh will continue to hold its head high to the world and will not bow its head to anyone. That mantra will be fulfilled,” Prof Yunus said. He said they will move forward with that mantra today. “I promise you on behalf of all of us ….we will always remember your words and continue on the path of progress of the nation.” Hadi died at Singapore General Hospital on Thursday night. He had sustained critical injuries after being shot on December 12 following his election campaign in the capital's Paltan area. The Chief Adviser, in his recent televised speech said, Hadi was an enemy of the defeated forces and fascist terrorists. “The evil attempt to intimidate revolutionaries by silencing his voice will be completely thwarted. No one can stop the journey to democracy of this country through fear, terror or bloodshed. Shaheed Hadi was an integral part of this process. His sole desire was to contest the upcoming elections and play an active role in the next phase of building a new Bangladesh,” he said. The Chief Adviser said the government will take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and his only child. The nation is observing a one-day state mourning today (Saturday) following Hadi’s death. On this occasion, the national flag was flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, as well as government and private buildings across the country and at Bangladesh missions abroad. At the same time, special prayers and munajat were held at every mosque across the country after Jum’a prayers on Friday for the eternal peace of martyr Hadi. Expressing deep sorrow and grief at Hadi’s untimely death, Prof Yunus said the loss is irreparable for the country’s political and democratic landscape. “I pray for the eternal peace of his soul and express my deepest condolences to his bereaved wife, family members, relatives and colleagues,” he added.

The namaz-e-janaza of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday afternoon. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, advisers and leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Moncho, National Citizens Party (NCP) and the chiefs of the three services, among others, attended the namaz-e-janaza. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain and an Inquilab Moncho leader spoke before the namaz-e-janaza. Amnesty urges accountability over Hadi murder, mob violence Hadi’s brother Abu Bakar Siddique administered the janaza around 2:30 pm. Earlier, thousands of people gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in small processions to attend the janaza. Mourners chanted various slogans, including “We will all be Hadi for ages, we will fight” and “We will not let Hadi Bhai’s blood go in vain.” Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. People from different parts of the capital were seen using the Metro Rail from early morning to reach the janaza venue, resulting in heavy passenger pressure at key stations. Thousands gather at Manik Mia Avenue to attend Hadi’s janaza Additional police personnel and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at key points in the capital to maintain law and order during the namaz-e-janaza. Police personnel equipped with around 1,000 body-worn cameras have been deployed to ensure overall security and prevent any untoward incident. Besides, 20 platoons of BGB have been deployed in and around important areas of the capital including the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to strengthen security, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of BGB. Hadi will be buried beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus in line with the wishes of his family, according to a Facebook post from Inquilab Moncho’s official page.  

A large number of mourners thronged the Metro Rail on Saturday to attend the namaz-e-janaza of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. People from different parts of the capital were seen using the Metro Rail from early morning to reach the janaza venue, resulting in heavy passenger pressure at key stations. The namaz-e-janaza of Hadi will be held at 2 pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan.He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. His body arrived in Dhaka on Friday evening.  

People have started gathering at Manik Mia Avenue adjacent to the Jatiya Sangsad to attend the namaz-e-janaza of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. People have been arriving on Manik Mia Avenue in small processions to attend the janaza. The namaz-e-janaza of Hadi will be held at 2 pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. People were chanting slogans various slogans including “We will all be Hadi for ages, we will fight” and “We will not let Hadi Bhai’s blood go in vain.” Additional police personnel and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at key points in the capital to maintain law and order during the namaz-e-janaza. An adequate number of police personnel equipped with around 1,000 body-worn cameras have been deployed to ensure overall security and prevent any untoward incident, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman. Besides, 20 platoons of BGB have been deployed in and around important areas of the capital including the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to strengthen security, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of BGB. The government has requested those wishing to attend the janaza not to carry any bags or heavy objects. It also said that flying drones in and around the parliament complex will remain strictly prohibited during the funeral prayers. Bangladesh mourns death of Osman Hadi Hadi will be buried beside grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus in line with the wishes of his family, according to a Facebook post from Inquilab Moncho’s official page. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. His body arrived in Dhaka on Friday evening.  

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for calm and urged all concerned in Bangladesh to refrain from violence, reduce tensions and exercise maximum restraint in order to preserve a peaceful electoral environment as the country heads to elections in February. The UN Secretary-General condemned the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi and extended his condolences to his family. The UN Chief called on the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial investigation, in line with international human rights standards. Amnesty urges accountability over Hadi murder, mob violence "I have been asked about the current situation in Bangladesh, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General condemns the killing of a youth protest leader, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, and extends his condolences to his family," said Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, during a regular briefing at the UN Headquarters on December 19.

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) on Saturday urged people to directly report social media posts that incite terrorism or violence through WhatsApp and email. It said such posts can be reported via WhatsApp at 01308332592 and by email to [email protected]. Complaints received through WhatsApp and email will be initially verified by the NCSA and then reported to the relevant platforms through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), according to a PID handout. The agency also called on people to refrain from using social media as a tool to create violence and to remain conscious about ensuring the safety of the country as well as the lives and property of citizens. According to the National Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, hate speech that directly causes violence or calls for violence is a punishable offence, it said. It said the government cannot directly take down social media posts but it can report posts related to violence to the concerned platforms by presenting logical and justified reasons.  

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday said Bangladesh authorities should now take urgent steps to prevent the ‘mob attacks’ that have taken hold in the country since the Hasina government was ousted last August, and should ensure conditions for ‘free, fair, and participatory’ elections in February. "The attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are an alarming assault on freedom of expression," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Ganguly said incitement to violence by some political actors, including on social media, is contributing to an environment in which journalists, political and social activists, and even artists and singers, are deliberately placed in danger. The attacks followed the killing of an election candidate, Sharif Osman Hadi, who came to prominence during the 2024 student movement that overthrew the previous authoritarian government in 2024, said the New York-based rights body. Bangladesh is engaged in a fraught struggle to re-establish democracy and respect for human rights after the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina, it said. The interim government has announced elections for February 12, 2026, but political violence and failures to uphold the rule of law severely threaten civic space and risk further rights abuses, said the HRW. "The assassination of the youth leader Osman Hadi was a terrible act," said Ganguly.