Tens of thousands attend funeral of killed Bangladesh student leader Sharif Osman Hadi

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Tens of thousands of people at the funeral prayer for Mr Sharif Osman Hadi held in Dhaka on Dec 20.

PHOTO: REUTERS

DHAKA – Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Dec 20 for the funeral of a student leader, after two days of violent protests over his killing.

Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Mr Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in the 2024 pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on Dec 18 after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque.

Police wearing body cameras were deployed in front of the Parliament building where the funeral prayers were held.

Mr Hadi’s body, which was brought to the capital on Dec 19, was buried at the central mosque of Dhaka University.

“We have not come here to say goodbye,” interim leader Muhammad Yunus said in an emotional speech.

“You are in our hearts, and you will remain in the heart of all Bangladeshis as long as the country exists.”

Mr Hadi, 32, was an outspoken critic of India and was set to contest the general elections in February.

A government employee who travelled from afar to attend the prayers, Mr Iqbal Hossain Saikot, said Mr Hadi was killed because he staunchly opposed India.

He will continue to live “among the millions of Bangladeshi people who love the land and its sovereign territory”, the 34-year-old told AFP.

Mr Hadi’s death has triggered widespread unrest, with protesters across the South Asian nation demanding the arrest of those responsible.

Late on Dec 18, people