Friday, 19 December, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged political parties that supported the July Uprising to remain united ahead of the February general election, warning that division at this critical moment could plunge the country into serious danger.
“The unity the people forged in the face of death must not be weakened by minor disagreements or conflict,” Yunus said in an address to the nation in the afternoon, hours after the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi in Singapore.
Declaring Saturday a day of state mourning, the chief adviser called on the nation to transform grief into collective strength, stressing that Bangladesh stood at a decisive crossroads.
Yunus said the country’s people had been deprived of their voting rights for nearly one and a half decades and were now determined to exercise that right in the upcoming election.
“We must honour the sacrifices of 133 children, hundreds of young men and women, and the thousands who were injured or lost limbs,” he said.
“The people of this country ask only that, in respect for these countless victims, we show tolerance for differing opinions, rise above partisan interests, and uphold our shared aspirations and national goals,” he added.
Expressing hope that political parties would accept the decision on the implementation of the July Charter in the broader national interest, Yunus said such consensus would pave the way for a festive, inclusive and credible election.
“Through this, we will step into a new Bangladesh. We now stand on the threshold of building that nation,” he said.
The chief adviser pledged swift legal action against all those involved in Hadi’s killing and said the state would take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and only child. He disclosed that he had received confirmation of Hadi’s death directly from Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
“I pray that the Almighty accepts this immortal soldier of the anti-fascist and anti-hegemonic struggle as a martyr,” Yunus said.
News of Hadi’s death emerged from Singapore at around 10pm on Thursday. Within ninety minutes, Yunus addressed the nation.
Describing the killing as “brutal”, Yunus said Hadi’s death was an irreparable loss to Bangladesh’s political and democratic landscape. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and colleagues, and assured the nation that justice would be delivered.
“All those involved in this murder will be swiftly brought under the law, and the highest punishment will be ensured. There will be no leniency,” he said.
Yunus described Hadi as a symbol not only of resistance, but also of patriotism, patience and resilience, and appealed to citizens to remain calm. He said law-enforcement agencies were conducting the investigation professionally and reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
He also warned against rumours and disinformation, urging the public to refrain from any rash actions.
“Let us not fall into the traps of those who seek to destabilise the country,” Yunus said. “Instead, let us move forward together on the path of democracy, justice and the rights of the people. That will be our true tribute to martyred Hadi.”
State Mourning
On Saturday, national flags will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, official buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Special prayers and supplications will be held at mosques across the country after Friday prayers, while similar observances will be arranged at places of worship of other faiths.
Protests in Dhaka
Meanwhile, supporters and activists of July Moncho gathered at Shahbagh, demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. Protests also spread across Dhaka University as news of his death reached the capital.
By around 10:30pm, demonstrators had assembled at the intersection, chanting slogans and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
Students from several residential halls marched to the Teacher–Student Centre (TSC) under the banner of Anti-Imperialist Students, staging a demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair questioned the role of the authorities, saying: “After two thousand lives lost, why did we have to lose Hadi? The police and intelligence agencies knew the attackers were nearby. If they did not, why are they paid?”
He later led protesters in an oath, declaring: “We will all become Hadi and continue the struggle, generation after generation.”
Another student organisation, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, brought out a procession near the campus, chanting slogans including “Dhaka, not Delhi”, “Resist Indian aggression” and “One Hadi has fallen, a hundred thousand will rise.”
Protests Outside Indian Mission
In Chattogram, protesters staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in the Khulshi area at around 11pm. Police intervened and dispersed those gathered outside the premises, while another group briefly assembled near Gate No. 2, officials said.
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Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged political parties that supported the July Uprising to remain united ahead of the February general election, warning that division at this critical moment could plunge the country into serious danger.
“The unity the people forged in the face of death must not be weakened by minor disagreements or conflict,” Yunus said in an address to the nation in the afternoon, hours after the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi in Singapore.
Declaring Saturday a day of state mourning, the chief adviser called on the nation to transform grief into collective strength, stressing that Bangladesh stood at a decisive crossroads.
Yunus said the country’s people had been deprived of their voting rights for nearly one and a half decades and were now determined to exercise that right in the upcoming election.
“We must honour the sacrifices of 133 children, hundreds of young men and women, and the thousands who were injured or lost limbs,” he said.
“The people of this country ask only that, in respect for these countless victims, we show tolerance for differing opinions, rise above partisan interests, and uphold our shared aspirations and national goals,” he added.
Expressing hope that political parties would accept the decision on the implementation of the July Charter in the broader national interest, Yunus said such consensus would pave the way for a festive, inclusive and credible election.
“Through this, we will step into a new Bangladesh. We now stand on the threshold of building that nation,” he said.
The chief adviser pledged swift legal action against all those involved in Hadi’s killing and said the state would take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and only child. He disclosed that he had received confirmation of Hadi’s death directly from Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
“I pray that the Almighty accepts this immortal soldier of the anti-fascist and anti-hegemonic struggle as a martyr,” Yunus said.
News of Hadi’s death emerged from Singapore at around 10pm on Thursday. Within ninety minutes, Yunus addressed the nation.
Describing the killing as “brutal”, Yunus said Hadi’s death was an irreparable loss to Bangladesh’s political and democratic landscape. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and colleagues, and assured the nation that justice would be delivered.
“All those involved in this murder will be swiftly brought under the law, and the highest punishment will be ensured. There will be no leniency,” he said.
Yunus described Hadi as a symbol not only of resistance, but also of patriotism, patience and resilience, and appealed to citizens to remain calm. He said law-enforcement agencies were conducting the investigation professionally and reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
He also warned against rumours and disinformation, urging the public to refrain from any rash actions.
“Let us not fall into the traps of those who seek to destabilise the country,” Yunus said. “Instead, let us move forward together on the path of democracy, justice and the rights of the people. That will be our true tribute to martyred Hadi.”
State Mourning
On Saturday, national flags will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, official buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Special prayers and supplications will be held at mosques across the country after Friday prayers, while similar observances will be arranged at places of worship of other faiths.
Protests in Dhaka
Meanwhile, supporters and activists of July Moncho gathered at Shahbagh, demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. Protests also spread across Dhaka University as news of his death reached the capital.
By around 10:30pm, demonstrators had assembled at the intersection, chanting slogans and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
Students from several residential halls marched to the Teacher–Student Centre (TSC) under the banner of Anti-Imperialist Students, staging a demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair questioned the role of the authorities, saying: “After two thousand lives lost, why did we have to lose Hadi? The police and intelligence agencies knew the attackers were nearby. If they did not, why are they paid?”
He later led protesters in an oath, declaring: “We will all become Hadi and continue the struggle, generation after generation.”
Another student organisation, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, brought out a procession near the campus, chanting slogans including “Dhaka, not Delhi”, “Resist Indian aggression” and “One Hadi has fallen, a hundred thousand will rise.”
Protests Outside Indian Mission
In Chattogram, protesters staged a sit-in outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in the Khulshi area at around 11pm. Police intervened and dispersed those gathered outside the premises, while another group briefly assembled near Gate No. 2, officials said.
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