Sheikh Hasina’s Aide Slams Yunus Govt As Violence Erupts After Hadi Killing: 'This Instability Is Deliberately Created'

Bangladesh witnessed a fresh surge of tension and violence on Friday following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with former ministers from ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet squarely blaming the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government for what they described as a complete breakdown of law and order.

Had, a prominent face of last year’s July Uprising and a candidate in the upcoming general elections, died at a Singapore hospital after battling for his life for six days. He had been shot in the head by masked gunmen while launching his election campaign in central Dhaka last week.

Soon after the confirmation of Hadi’s death, protests erupted across Dhaka and other parts of the country. Demonstrators vandalised media houses, attacked political offices, and damaged the already-demolished historic 32 Dhanmondi residence of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In Chattogram, protesters hurled stones at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner, prompting heightened security measures.

Ex-Ministers Accuse Interim Govt of Incitement

Mahibul Hasan Choudhury, a former state minister in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, accused members of the interim government and allied groups of fuelling violence instead of containing it.

“Yunus called for peace, but members of his cabinet openly called for bloodshed. This instability is being deliberately created as elections approach,” Choudhury told, alleging that law enforcement agencies failed to act during attacks on diplomatic premises and public property.

On the other hand, former information minister Mohammad A Arafat said Sheikh Hasina was “deeply worried” and closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh. “There is no effective law and order. Extremists are attacking academics, journalists, cultural activists and minorities. This is not new; it has been happening for months,” Arafat said, claiming that secular and liberal voices were being systematically targeted.

He also pointed to attacks on leading newspapers such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, saying the shrinking space for dissent reflected growing radical influence.

Yunus Calls For Calm, Announces Mourning

Addressing the nation on Thursday night, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned Hadi’s killing and vowed swift justice. He announced a one-day state mourning on Saturday and urged citizens to exercise restraint. “No one can stop the democratic progress of this country through violence or bloodshed,” Yunus said, warning that those responsible for the murder would face strict punishment.

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The interim government later issued a statement condemning all acts of vandalism, arson and intimidation, attributing the unrest to “a few fringe elements” attempting to derail Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

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As Bangladesh grapples with fresh instability, political leaders across the spectrum warn that unless calm is restored and accountability ensured, the crisis could further complicate the country’s already fragile transition phase.