Bangladesh’s interim government Friday urged citizens to resist mob violence, blaming “a few fringe elements” for the overnight unrest, as security forces were deployed across Dhaka and other cities following protests over the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
In a statement, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s office said, “The government urges all citizens of Bangladesh to resist all forms of mob violence committed by a few fringe elements. We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arson, and destruction of properties.”
Calling the situation a turning point for the country, the statement added, “This is a critical moment in our nation’s history when we are making a historic democratic transition. We cannot and must not allow it to be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos and reject peace.”
While calm returned to many parts of the country by Friday morning, protests continued at Shahbagh in central Dhaka, where demonstrators carrying national flags and placards chanted slogans and said they would not disperse until justice was delivered. Residents in the country of about 173 million said they feared fresh violence later in the day.
The National Citizen Party, formed by students who led the protests that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country last year, also warned of possible unrest. However, around 1,500 people gathered peacefully at the national mosque in Dhaka after Friday prayers for a rally called by the Islamist party Khelafat Majlis.
Sharif Osman Hadi’s death
Hadi, 32, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha or Platform for Revolution, was shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last Friday while launching his campaign for the upcoming elections.
He was first treated at a local hospital before being flown to Singapore for advanced medical care, where he died after six days on life support. An outspoken critic of India, Hadi had taken part in the protests that toppled Hasina’s government.
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What the interim govt said on Bangladesh violence
In its statement, the interim administration said the upcoming elections and referendum were “not merely political exercises” but “a solemn national commitment”, linking them to Hadi’s legacy. It said, “This promise is inseparable from the dream for which Saheed Sharif Osman Hadi. Honoring his sacrifice and memory demands restraint, responsibility, and abiding commitment to reject hatred.”
The government also addressed attacks on media houses, after videos circulated on social media showing mobs vandalising the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star on Thursday night. Firefighters rescued journalists trapped inside the Daily Star building, and the blaze was later brought under control.
“To the journalists of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age: we stand with you. We are deeply sorry for the terror and violence you have endured,” the statement said. “The nation has witnessed your courage and tolerance in the face of terror. Attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself. We promise you full justice.”
Yunus govt on the death of Hindu man
The interim government further condemned communal violence, saying, “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 crimine will not be spared.”
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Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August 2024, after Hasina fled to India following a student-led uprising. The government has been facing pressure over delayed reforms, while Hasina’s Awami League, barred from contesting, has warned of unrest ahead of elections scheduled for February 12.
Earlier, Yunus declared Saturday a day of state mourning in honour of Hadi. Violence was also reported in several cities, including Chittagong, where protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission.
Anti-India protests
The unrest comes amid renewed anti-India protests, with relations between Dhaka and New Delhi deteriorating since Hasina’s departure. Earlier this week, hundreds of demonstrators marched toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, chanting anti-India slogans and demanding Hasina’s return.
(With iputs from Reuters)
