Heat-Hate Relationship: Bangladesh tensions are fuming rapidly
Sharif Osman Hadi’s death on Friday, fuels up extreme tensions among the people of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is facing a wave of unrest that has shaken the country. The death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, 2025, has acted as a trigger. He was shot in Dhaka on December 12 while campaigning and later flown to Singapore for treatment. His death sparked protests, turning anger into violence in several cities.
Violence in the Streets
Protests quickly escalated. Mobs stormed and set fire to newspaper offices, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Journalists were trapped inside before they were evacuated. The chaos did not stop there. A Hindu man was beaten, tied to a tree, and set on fire. These incidents underline how volatile the situation has become.
Democracy Under Strain
The unrest comes just months before Bangladesh’s general elections in February 2026. Opposition leaders have already raised doubts about the fairness of the process. The absence of meaningful participation and rising violence risk turning elections into a formality rather than a genuine test of public mandate.
Media and Institutions at Risk
The attacks on media houses are shocking and intolerable. A free press is the backbone of any functioning democracy, and when journalists are threatened, beaten, or trapped, transparency is crushed. Accountability disappears, and the very institutions meant to protect citizens and uphold their rights are shown to be powerless or unwilling. If these attacks go unchecked, it sends a dangerous message: dissent can be silenced with violence, and truth comes at a deadly cost.
Indian View: Impact and Influence
Political instability or questions of legitimacy in Dhaka could complicate cooperation on security, borders, and connectivity. India’s response will also be closely watched. As New Delhi speaks of democratic values in the region, developments in Bangladesh will test how those values are balanced. However, the constant statements and declarations hatred and against India’s sovereignty aren’t supposed to be countered with delicay.
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