Bangladesh Violence Erupts After Student Leader’s Death, Media Offices Torched in Dhaka

Violence erupted across Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka late Thursday after the death of prominent student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with angry mobs setting fire to the offices of two of the country’s most influential newspapers — Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. The attacks have intensified concerns over political instability, press freedom, and journalist safety in the country.

According to local media and eyewitness accounts, large groups of protesters stormed the headquarters of Prothom Alo around midnight, vandalising property and setting parts of the building on fire. Shortly afterward, a similar attack was launched on The Daily Star office. Videos circulating on social media showed mobs armed with sticks, breaking windows, damaging furniture, and lighting fires outside the newspaper premises.

Several employees were reportedly trapped inside the buildings during the violence. Security forces later evacuated journalists and staff as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Bangladesh Army personnel were subsequently deployed to guard the premises of both media houses to prevent further attacks.

The unrest was triggered by the confirmed death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the activist group Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Hadi had been shot in the head by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on December 12 and was flown to Singapore for emergency medical treatment. He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday evening.

Following news of his death, supporters took to the streets, accusing sections of the media of biased reporting and alleging conspiracies involving foreign elements. Protesters claimed that coverage by leading newspapers had misrepresented the July Uprising and its leaders, fuelling anger against journalists and media organisations.

The violence also extended beyond property damage. Veteran journalist Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, was attacked by protesters during the unrest, underlining the growing risks faced by journalists amid the volatile political climate.

Human rights groups and press freedom advocates have expressed alarm over the attacks, warning that targeting independent media undermines democratic norms and escalates instability. Observers note that Bangladesh has witnessed increasing hostility toward journalists since the July Uprising, with media outlets frequently caught in the crossfire of political rivalries and public anger.

Authorities have yet to announce arrests related to the attacks, but security has been tightened across sensitive areas of the capital. The government has urged calm while investigations into both Hadi’s killing and the attacks on media houses continue.

The latest violence highlights Bangladesh’s fragile security environment ahead of upcoming political processes and raises serious questions about the safety of journalists, freedom of expression, and the country’s ability to manage dissent without spiralling into chaos.