Bangladesh’s political crisis has taken a dramatic turn after Sharif Omar Hadi, brother of slain student activist Sharif Osman Hadi, publicly accused a vested quarter within the country’s interim government of orchestrating his brother’s killing to derail the upcoming national elections.
Bangladesh is set to hold the national parliamentary elections in February 2026, in which Awami League, led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will not be allowed to participate, according to the country’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
In the run up to the national polls, Bangladesh is witnessing massive protests and instability, further fuelled by Hadi’s death last week. Now, his brother’s rather sensational allegation, reported by The Daily Star, has intensified an already volatile atmosphere.
Direct accusation at Shahbagh rally
Addressing a crowd at a “Shahidi Shopoth” (Martyr’s Oath) programme organised by Inqilab Mancha in front of Dhaka’s National Museum at Shahbagh, Omar Hadi launched a blistering attack on the authorities. “It is you who had Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue,” he stated, as quoted by thedailystar.net.
The rally took place at a symbolic location that has historically served as the epicentre of major political mobilisations in Bangladesh.
It is worth mentioning here that during Hadi’s funeral, held on Saturday (December 20, 2025), Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said the gathering was not a farewell but a pledge. “As long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis,” he declared, promising that Hadi’s vision would be fulfilled “generation after generation.”
Election fears at the heart of the charge
Omar Hadi claimed that his brother had been firm about holding national elections by February 2026 and warned the government against disturbing the electoral environment. “Ensure a speedy trial of the killers so the election atmosphere is not harmed,” he said, adding that the government had shown “no visible progress” in the investigation.
“If justice for Osman Hadi is not delivered, you too will be compelled to flee Bangladesh one day,” he warned.
‘Refused to bow to agencies or foreign masters’
Escalating the rhetoric, Omar Hadi alleged that his brother was targeted because he refused to submit to any agency or “foreign masters.”
The remark has fuelled speculation and conspiracy theories, further deepening mistrust between protesters and the state at a time when political temperatures are already high.
At the same rally, Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber reiterated a 30-working-day ultimatum given to the government to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing. The deadline was first announced earlier this week, signalling that protest leaders are preparing to escalate pressure if their demands are not met.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent student activist and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, and a key figure in last year’s July uprising that reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Known for his anti-India stance, Hadi was shot at close range on December 12, 2025 while travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. According to media reports, two motorcycle-borne assailants pulled up beside his vehicle and shot him in the head. Hadi was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors found severe brain stem damage. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, 2025.
His death set off widespread protests, with demonstrators blocking roads and gathering at Shahbagh intersection.