The interim government apologizes to journalists and vows justice for a lynched Hindu man as the nation enters a state of mourning.
December 19, 2025: Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, issued a desperate plea for national calm late Thursday night as the country spiraled into violent unrest. The chaos follows the death of 32-year-old Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader of the 2024 uprising, who succumbed to assassination injuries in a Singapore hospital.
“A Critical Moment”: The Government’s Response
In a televised address, Chief Adviser Yunus described Hadi as a “fearless frontline fighter” and declared Saturday, December 20, 2025, a day of state mourning. The administration released a blistering statement condemning the “fringe elements” attempting to derail the democratic transition.
“We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence… This is a critical moment when we are making a historic democratic transition. We cannot allow it to be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos,” the government statement read.
The Terror in Karwan Bazar: Media Houses Under Siege
The most visible sign of the “collapse of rule of law” occurred at the headquarters of the nation’s leading independent newspapers.
- Media Arson: Mobs torched and vandalized the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and New Age.
- Journalists Trapped: Firefighters rescued at least 25 journalists from The Daily Star building after they were pinned by thick smoke on upper floors for over four hours.
- The Apology: In an unprecedented move, the government issued a direct apology: “To the journalists… we are deeply sorry for the terror you have endured. Attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself.” Both major dailies have temporarily suspended print and online operations.
The Brutal Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das
The unrest took a sectarian turn in the Mymensingh district, where a Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by an enraged mob.
- The Allegation: Das was accused of “blasphemy” regarding remarks about the Prophet Muhammad.
- The Atrocity: Reports state the mob beat Das to death, hung his body from a tree, and set it on fire.
- Government Vow: The Yunus administration called the killing a “heinous crime,” stating there is “no space for such violence in New Bangladesh.”
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Hadi was the convener of Inquilab Mancha, a radical student-led platform that was instrumental in ousting Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
- The Assassination: He was shot in the head by masked assailants while campaigning in Dhaka on December 12.
- Anti-India Stance: Known for his fierce criticism of New Delhi, Hadi’s death has sparked massive protests outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, with protesters alleging the killers fled to India.
Current Security Situation
| Region | Event | Current Status |
| Dhaka | Media houses burned; Shahbagh blocked | Troops deployed; News operations suspended |
| Mymensingh | Lynching of Hindu man (Dipu Chandra Das) | Police investigation active; Tensions high |
| Chittagong | Protest at Indian High Commission | Heavy paramilitary presence; Mission secured |
| Rajshahi | Awami League office bulldozed/burned | Massive protests; Highways blocked |