Osman Hadi will be Remembered as a Fearless Voice of the July Uprising and a Better Bangladesh

Bangladesh woke up to a deep sense of loss today with the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, widely known as Osman Hadi, a fearless activist and political voice whose life was cut short by violence. He passed away on Thursday night, 18 December 2025, while receiving treatment in Singapore, where he had been taken after sustaining critical injuries in a gun attack earlier this month. The news was confirmed through official posts on his verified Facebook page and the page of Inquilab Mancha, the platform he helped lead, which described him as a revolutionary whose sacrifice would not be forgotten.

Osman Hadi was shot at close range on 12 December 2025 during a campaign outreach in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, just a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections. He was travelling in a vehicle when attackers opened fire, leaving him with severe head injuries. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later shifted to Evercare Hospital as his condition worsened. Despite emergency surgeries and intensive care, doctors were unable to stabilise him, and arrangements were made to fly him to Singapore for advanced treatment. After days of battling for his life, he finally succumbed to his injuries.

A convener and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a prospective independent parliamentary candidate from Dhaka-8, Osman Hadi had become a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, especially after the July Uprising of 2024. During that historic movement, he emerged as one of the most vocal and visible leaders, standing alongside students and citizens demanding accountability, justice, and systemic reform. His speeches during the uprising struck a chord with the youth, and his organisational role helped turn the protests into a defining moment in the country’s recent history.

After July 2024, Hadi continued to campaign relentlessly for what he often described as a “Better Bangladesh” a nation built on sovereignty, fairness, and freedom from entrenched power and foreign influence. Through Inquilab Mancha, he challenged traditional political structures and openly criticised what he believed were external pressures undermining Bangladesh’s independence. His uncompromising stance made him widely admired by supporters and deeply controversial among opponents, but few questioned his courage or commitment.

Following his death, condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) issued a statement mourning his passing and acknowledging the loss of a brave and outspoken leader at a critical time for the country. His shooting had already sparked protests nationwide, with activists and opposition groups calling the attack an assault on the spirit of the July uprising and demanding swift justice for those responsible.

Osman Hadi’s life was one of conviction and resistance, shaped by his belief that silence was not an option in the face of injustice. His death leaves a painful void in Bangladesh’s political and activist circles, but his legacy from the streets of the July uprising to his final stand for a better future will continue to inspire those who believe in change. Though he is no longer here, Osman Hadi lives on in the memory of a nation that saw in him both courage and hope.