Yunus Condemns Osman Hadi Shooting as ‘Blow to Bangladesh’s Conscience’

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has denounced the shooting of youth leader Osman Hadi as an attack on Bangladesh’s conscience, ordering urgent security steps and promising that February’s election and referendum will proceed peacefully.

Sultanul Arefin December 13, 2025 3 minutes read

A high-level emergency meeting in Dhaka has condemned the gun attack on youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi as an assault on Bangladesh’s democratic conscience. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said the shooting was aimed at destabilising the country ahead of its first national election and reform referendum since the 2024 uprising.

Attack on Osman Hadi shocks Dhaka

Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha and an expected independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday afternoon. Witnesses said unidentified assailants on motorcycles opened fire before escaping, leaving Hadi critically injured. He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to a private facility for advanced treatment.

Doctors have described his condition as extremely serious after a bullet caused significant brain injuries. Supporters and civil society groups have since staged protests demanding swift justice and better protection for candidates.

Yunus calls attack a blow to Bangladesh’s conscience

Following the incident, Yunus convened an urgent meeting at the state guest house Jamuna with advisers, security chiefs and senior officials. He said the attack was not only a crime against an individual but a “deep wound” to Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations and moral standing.

The Chief Adviser stressed that such violence during an election period is “completely unacceptable” and warned that the government would not allow any attempt to intimidate voters or candidates. He vowed that those who planned and carried out the shooting would be tracked down and punished under the law.

Election security: government orders nationwide measures

At the meeting, Yunus directed police, intelligence agencies and local administrations to increase security around political activities and vulnerable locations. Officials were told to use CCTV footage and other digital evidence to identify the attackers and ensure they cannot flee the country.

The government also discussed contingency plans for areas where armed groups or criminal networks might try to disrupt campaign activities. According to officials, additional resources will be deployed in Dhaka and key urban centres in the coming days.

Ensuring free and peaceful polls and referendum

Bangladesh is preparing for parliamentary elections and a referendum on sweeping political reforms in February 2026, the first national vote since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was removed after mass protests last year.

Yunus reiterated that the polls and referendum will go ahead as planned despite intimidation attempts. He said the interim administration remains committed to delivering a peaceful, inclusive and credible election, calling on citizens to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and reject political violence.

Political reactions and public concern

Parties across the spectrum, including the BNP and other opposition groups, have condemned the attack on Hadi and called it part of a broader plot to sabotage the electoral environment. They demanded immediate arrests and urged the government to guarantee equal security for all candidates, regardless of affiliation.

Meanwhile, rights advocates warn that failure to quickly solve the case could deepen mistrust among young voters who drove the July uprising and now expect a cleaner political culture. For many Bangladeshis, the response to the attack on Osman Hadi is seen as an early test of whether the new transition can deliver both justice and genuine democracy.

Featured Image: Collected