Sunday, 14 December, 2025
Bangladesh reeled on Friday as horror struck the heart of Dhaka: Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inquilab Mancho and prospective Dhaka-8 candidate, was the target of a brazen assassination in broad daylight.
A bullet ripped beneath his ear, tore through his neck, and lodged in his skull, leaving him fighting for life at Evercare Hospital. The sheer brutality and precision of the attack make one thing terrifyingly clear—this was a cold-blooded, calculated attempt to silence a political voice.
Law enforcement has identified Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan, a local leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and a listed criminal, as the prime suspect. Masud has a long record of extortion, armed robbery, and organised violent crime. He is currently out on bail in two pending cases, including one under the Arms Act and another for a Tk17 lakh mugging.
Investigations show he had joined Hadi’s campaign activities for several days before the attack. Inquilab Mancho admits no background checks were conducted, allowing a known criminal to infiltrate public outreach. CCTV and social media images confirm his presence at the scene.
Hadi’s attackers reportedly accompanied him at rallies, waited outside his mosque, and masked their identities despite repeated requests to remove them. The ease of infiltration exposes glaring weaknesses in Bangladesh’s political security. Parties have no systematic vetting processes, and policing and intelligence oversight remain inadequate.
This is not an isolated case. In November, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah survived a similar attempt in Chattogram, though a bystander was killed. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s shooting as “both a threat to Bangladesh’s very existence and a deliberate effort to derail the election.”
Political leaders across the spectrum have voiced alarm. Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury promised zero tolerance for attempts to disrupt the election, but history offers little reassurance. Previous attacks on candidates and activists have often gone unresolved, embedding fear and impunity.
Experts warn that promises are insufficient: systematic reforms are urgently needed, including rigorous vetting of campaign participants, robust security for candidates, rapid prosecution of perpetrators, and recovery of looted and illegal firearms.
Globally, politically motivated killings are not unique to Bangladesh. Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, which claimed nearly 800,000 lives over 100 days, shows how unchecked political violence can escalate into mass catastrophe. While Bangladesh is far from such extremes, the principle is stark: impunity and weak institutions create fertile ground for attacks.
Across South Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe, elections, protests, and internal party rivalries are frequently accompanied by assassinations of journalists, activists, and local leaders. Investigations often stall under political pressure, leaving perpetrators free and eroding public trust.
The Hadi shooting is a warning shot. Bangladesh’s electoral process—a space meant for debate, civic engagement, and democratic choice—is increasingly at risk of becoming a theatre of fear. If political actors operate with impunity, the integrity of the ballot, the safety of candidates, and public participation are all in jeopardy.
Hadi’s attackers reportedly acted as ordinary participants, blending into campaign activities, waiting for the right moment to strike. The breach exposes a disturbing reality: even frontline activists and prospective MPs face constant threats, while parties remain ill-prepared to secure them.
Safeguarding candidates is no longer optional; it is existential.
Bangladesh faces a critical test. Sharif Osman Hadi’s life hangs in the balance, but the nation’s democracy is already on trial. To protect both, immediate and decisive action is needed: effective vetting, enhanced security, swift justice, and the removal of illegal weapons from circulation.
Failure is not merely a risk to individuals—it is a risk to the democratic process itself.
The message is clear. Violence is no longer a distant threat; it is a present, calculated danger. As the country marches toward national elections on 12 February, Hadi’s shooting must be a wake-up call.
Democracy cannot survive on promises alone. The time for action is now.
Comments
Bangladesh reeled on Friday as horror struck the heart of Dhaka: Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inquilab Mancho and prospective Dhaka-8 candidate, was the target of a brazen assassination in broad daylight.
A bullet ripped beneath his ear, tore through his neck, and lodged in his skull, leaving him fighting for life at Evercare Hospital. The sheer brutality and precision of the attack make one thing terrifyingly clear—this was a cold-blooded, calculated attempt to silence a political voice.
Law enforcement has identified Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan, a local leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and a listed criminal, as the prime suspect. Masud has a long record of extortion, armed robbery, and organised violent crime. He is currently out on bail in two pending cases, including one under the Arms Act and another for a Tk17 lakh mugging.
Investigations show he had joined Hadi’s campaign activities for several days before the attack. Inquilab Mancho admits no background checks were conducted, allowing a known criminal to infiltrate public outreach. CCTV and social media images confirm his presence at the scene.
Hadi’s attackers reportedly accompanied him at rallies, waited outside his mosque, and masked their identities despite repeated requests to remove them. The ease of infiltration exposes glaring weaknesses in Bangladesh’s political security. Parties have no systematic vetting processes, and policing and intelligence oversight remain inadequate.
This is not an isolated case. In November, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah survived a similar attempt in Chattogram, though a bystander was killed. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s shooting as “both a threat to Bangladesh’s very existence and a deliberate effort to derail the election.”
Political leaders across the spectrum have voiced alarm. Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury promised zero tolerance for attempts to disrupt the election, but history offers little reassurance. Previous attacks on candidates and activists have often gone unresolved, embedding fear and impunity.
Experts warn that promises are insufficient: systematic reforms are urgently needed, including rigorous vetting of campaign participants, robust security for candidates, rapid prosecution of perpetrators, and recovery of looted and illegal firearms.
Globally, politically motivated killings are not unique to Bangladesh. Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, which claimed nearly 800,000 lives over 100 days, shows how unchecked political violence can escalate into mass catastrophe. While Bangladesh is far from such extremes, the principle is stark: impunity and weak institutions create fertile ground for attacks.
Across South Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe, elections, protests, and internal party rivalries are frequently accompanied by assassinations of journalists, activists, and local leaders. Investigations often stall under political pressure, leaving perpetrators free and eroding public trust.
The Hadi shooting is a warning shot. Bangladesh’s electoral process—a space meant for debate, civic engagement, and democratic choice—is increasingly at risk of becoming a theatre of fear. If political actors operate with impunity, the integrity of the ballot, the safety of candidates, and public participation are all in jeopardy.
Hadi’s attackers reportedly acted as ordinary participants, blending into campaign activities, waiting for the right moment to strike. The breach exposes a disturbing reality: even frontline activists and prospective MPs face constant threats, while parties remain ill-prepared to secure them.
Safeguarding candidates is no longer optional; it is existential.
Bangladesh faces a critical test. Sharif Osman Hadi’s life hangs in the balance, but the nation’s democracy is already on trial. To protect both, immediate and decisive action is needed: effective vetting, enhanced security, swift justice, and the removal of illegal weapons from circulation.
Failure is not merely a risk to individuals—it is a risk to the democratic process itself.
The message is clear. Violence is no longer a distant threat; it is a present, calculated danger. As the country marches toward national elections on 12 February, Hadi’s shooting must be a wake-up call.
Democracy cannot survive on promises alone. The time for action is now.
Comments
