Hundreds of Thousands Bade Farewell to Osman Hadi Saturday

Hundreds of thousands of people attend the namaz-e-janaza of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and one of the frontliners of the July uprising, at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban after Zuhr prayers yesterday afternoon.

In an overwhelming display of grief and solidarity, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises on Friday to pay their final respects to Sharif Osman Hadi, the slain spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a prominent figure of the July uprising.

The vast parliament complex proved too small to contain the mourners, with crowds spilling onto Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas, turning one of the capital’s widest roads into a sea of people.

The namaz-e-janaza of 32-year-old Hadi was held at the South Plaza in the afternoon amid chants of “Allahu Akbar.” His coffin, draped in the national flag, was carried before a silent and tearful crowd.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus described Hadi as a martyr whose ideals would live on. He said Hadi would remain alive in the nation’s conscience through the lessons he left behind for Bangladesh.

Calling for calm, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber urged supporters to refrain from violence and ignore provocation, saying future programmes would be announced in due course. He recalled Hadi’s admiration for the rebel spirit of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose verses he often recited with passion.

Hadi’s elder brother, Mawlana Abu Bakar Siddique, led the funeral prayers, which were attended by advisers, the chiefs of the three armed services, and leaders from various political and social platforms.

Later in the afternoon, Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of his favourite poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, near the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Mourners from all walks of life continued to arrive in processions, many carrying flags and placards demanding justice for his killing. Slogans calling for accountability echoed across the area, reflecting a mix of sorrow, anger and resolve.

Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a battery-run autorickshaw in the capital’s Paltan area. He was initially treated in Dhaka before being airlifted to Singapore for advanced care, where he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.

Many attendees described him as outspoken, principled and independent, noting that he did not represent any political party. Several said the unprecedented turnout at his funeral testified to the impact he had made in a short life.

Law enforcement agencies deployed a large number of personnel to maintain order, as the capital witnessed one of the largest funeral gatherings in recent memory.