Dhaka was awash with grief and defiance on Saturday as millions gathered to bid farewell to Sharif Osman Hadi, the July frontliner and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, laid to rest after a namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, addressing the mourners in an emotionally charged speech, declared that Hadi would remain alive in the hearts of all Bangladeshis, now and for generations to come.

“O dear Osman Hadi, we have not come here to bid you farewell. You are within our hearts, and as long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain there. Insha’Allah, no one can remove you,” Prof Yunus said before joining the funeral prayer, his voice carrying the weight of a nation in mourning.

He recalled the waves of mourners, describing how millions from across Bangladesh—and Bangladeshis living abroad—had come together to honour Hadi’s life and legacy. “This gathering is not a farewell. It is a pledge. What you told us, we will fulfil—not only today, but across generations,” Yunus said.

The Chief Adviser paid tribute to Hadi’s leadership, compassion and political vision. “Your love for humanity, your dedication to engaging with people respectfully, and your political outlook are being praised by all. We accept these as lessons to carry forward.”

Hadi’s devotion to the ideals of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam resonated throughout the ceremony. Quoting the poet’s revolutionary lines from Bidrohi, Prof Yunus described Hadi’s mantra as a guiding force for the nation.

“You have given us such a mantra that this nation will never forget. It will echo in our ears forever,” he said, urging Bangladeshis to hold their heads high and never bow before injustice.

Highlighting Hadi’s determination to contest the upcoming elections, Yunus noted, “He showed us the true way to campaign—how to reach people, express our views with dignity, and connect with citizens respectfully. These are lessons we will carry into public life so that Hadi remains vividly alive in our actions.”

Thousands lined Manik Mia Avenue, joining the janaza in a mixture of tears, chants for justice, and demands for accountability. Slogans against fascism and political hegemony reverberated through the crowd, while mourners broke down over the loss of a fearless fighter whose life was cut short.

Hadi, 32, was shot on 12 December while travelling in a battery-run auto-rickshaw in Dhaka’s Paltan area and died after six days on life support. His elder brother, Maulana Dr Abu Bakar Siddique, led the namaz-e-janaza, while Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain read out his biography. Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber also addressed the mourners.

As the coffin was lowered, the streets of Dhaka reflected both grief and resistance—a nation honouring a hero while demanding justice for a life taken too soon. Hadi’s legacy, Chief Adviser Yunus said, would not fade: “You will not be lost. No one will ever forget you. You will remain with us for ages, reminding us again and again of your mantra.”

The janaza of Sharif Osman Hadi was not only a farewell; it was a solemn promise that his ideals and vision will continue to guide Bangladesh, even in the face of grief, anger, and uncertainty.