Bangladesh Braces For Elections As Protests Enter Third Day

Protests across Bangladesh entered a third consecutive day on Saturday,as demonstrators pressed for justice in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi,a prominent youth leader linked to the July 2024 uprising. HadiS funeral was held in the capital under tight security.

Analysts and rights groups warned the unrest could be exploited to derail the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026. Critics renewed calls for the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, accusing him of failing to secure arrests more than a week after Hadi was shot in Dhaka on December 12.

Funeral attendees numbered in the tens of thousands, gathered at manik Mia Avenue near the National Parliament. Security measures were extraordinary, with Dhaka Metropolitan Police deploying a heavy security presence and around 1,000 body‑worn cameras to manage the crowd.

Abdullah Al Jaber, secretary of Inqilab Moncha, a socio‑cultural group formed with Hadi, delivered a 24‑hour ultimatum for the home adviser’s resignation. hadi was laid to rest around 3:48 p.m., and mourners then moved toward Shahbagh, chanting slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka.” Some called for renaming Shahbagh to “Hadi Chattar.”

In the wake of the violence, arson damaged the central office of Udichi shilpi Gosthi, a leading cultural institution. The group warned that the government had strayed from the spirit of the July uprising and was appeasing fundamentalist forces. The fire destroyed decades of cultural archives, a blow to Bangladesh’s progressive cultural movement and to the memory of the 1971 Liberation War’s ideals.

Amnesty International urged a prompt, impartial inquiry into Hadi’s killing and subsequent mob violence.The rights group condemned the torching of Prothom Hello, The Daily Star, and Chhayanaut, and the harassment of New Age editor Nurul Kabir. the organization also flagged the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila over alleged blasphemy, noting seven people had been arrested in that case.

Despite some signs of a return to normalcy in parts of the country, authorities face ongoing concerns about media and cultural institutions coming under attack. Publications resumed after the Thursday torching of major outlets, underscoring a fragile recovery in press freedom and cultural life.

Political observers question whether the February 12, 2026 election date can be maintained amid sustained protests. Several party leaders urged vigilance to prevent any attempt to derail the electoral process. BNP figures warned of anti‑election conspiracies that could exploit the tragedy for political gain, urging the public to stay alert and resolute.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus,who arrived at the parliament complex before the funeral,pledged that Hadi would be remembered and that his example would guide the nation. “You wanted to participate in the election. By seeking to contest, you also taught us how elections should be conducted. Let us honor that process,” Yunus said.

As authorities seek to stabilize the situation, the country confronts a delicate balance between safeguarding public order and protecting the rights to peaceful protest and free expression. The coming weeks will test the resilience of Bangladesh’s political institutions and the integrity of its electoral timetable.

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Updated Saturday, 8:58 p.m. local time.