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Dhaka/Chittagong/Khulna: The situation in Bangladesh is deteriorating day by day following the attack on and subsequent death of radical youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi. Tensions are rising in areas near the border, while radical groups are rioting across the country. From the capital Dhaka to the port city of Chittagong and the industrial hub of Khulna, chaos reigns. Radicals are declaring war against India and specifically targeting Hindus. In Mymensingh city, a Hindu man was publicly burned alive in a town square. Rioters set fire to the offices of two newspapers in Dhaka and chased and beat journalists. The reporters’ lives were saved with the help of the army. The rioters’ rampage continues throughout Bangladesh, with rioters chanting about “180 million Hadis,” but the head of the government, Muhammad Yunus, is silently watching the spectacle.
Violence Erupts After Usman Hadi’s Death
Late Thursday night, Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced that Sharif Usman Hadi, the leader of the Inqilab Manch, had died in Singapore. As soon as the announcement was made, radicals took to the streets across Bangladesh. Throughout the night, vandalism, arson, and violence continued in various cities. This evening, when Hadi’s body arrived in Dhaka, thousands of Inqilab Manch supporters gathered at Dhaka’s Shahjalal Airport. This crowd had come to receive the body of Sharif Usman Hadi, one of the leaders who had attempted to overthrow Sheikh Hasina last year. Seven days ago, on December 12, Sharif Usman Hadi was shot by unknown assailants. Muhammad Yunus had sent Hadi to Singapore for treatment via air ambulance, where he died yesterday.
A demonstrator celebrating the destruction in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina and India’s Opponent: Hadi
Usman Hadi was a key leader of the rebellion against Sheikh Hasina’s government last year. He had promised to implement Islamic law in Bangladesh. Usman Hadi was a staunch opponent of India and the spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch (Revolutionary Platform). However, the Yunus government disbanded the Inqilab Manch. Following this, Usman Hadi announced in February that he would contest the elections as an independent candidate. On December 12, Usman Hadi began his campaign, and he was shot dead the same day. As soon as Usman’s death was confirmed last night, fundamentalists unleashed violence across Bangladesh. The crowds were chanting slogans like “Hang Hadi’s killers!” In fact, as soon as Muhammad Yunus confirmed Usman Hadi’s death last night, the Inqilab Manch appealed to people to come out of their homes, and millions of people took to the streets across the country.
Jamaat Members Unleash Chaos in Dhaka
Following Hadi’s death, members of the Jamaat-e-Islami unleashed widespread violence. Vandalism, looting, and arson erupted everywhere in the capital city of Dhaka. Violent mobs of fundamentalists attacked offices, markets, and the homes of leaders of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Anyone who came in their way was brutally beaten. Rioters took control of numerous areas, including Old Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil, Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Dhanmondi, Bashundhara, Banani, and Baridhara. The fundamentalists openly looted and set things on fire, but the police were nowhere to be seen.
Hadi’s supporters didn’t spare the media either.
The same Usman Hadi, for whom the extremists set all of Dhaka ablaze, himself incited slogans calling for the crucifixion of Sheikh Hasina and the public execution of Awami League government ministers. Surprisingly, a large section of the Bangladeshi media was supporting extremists like Usman Hadi at the time and portraying them as heroes. But after Usman Hadi’s death, his supporters targeted the media itself. They attacked the offices of Bangladesh’s largest English newspaper, the Daily Star, and the Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo. First, the mob vandalized the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. When the employees of both newspapers fled to save their lives, the rioters looted all the equipment from the newspaper offices, including laptops, computers, and projectors. Then, the offices of the Daily Star and Prothom Alo were set on fire.
Many questions raised about the role of the police
The mob of rioters remained outside the newspaper offices until around 4:30 in the morning. Those who escaped the wrath of the extremists questioned the role of the police. They alleged that the police and fire brigade teams arrived deliberately late and that the administration had given the extremists a free hand to riot. However, Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials claimed that they arrived at the scene at the right time and brought the situation under control without delay. SM Nazrul Islam, ACP of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “We tried our best to control the crowd with the help of police forces throughout the night. We did everything possible. We were not at all unsuccessful in taking action. We have still made sufficient arrangements to control the crowd. But, it is not possible to say what the next step will be?”
A girl rescues some books from a burnt-out bookstore in Bangladesh.
Violence Incited After Friday Prayers
After Friday prayers, leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Nationalist Students’ Party, and Amar Bangla Party incited people by citing the death of Usman Hadi. They chanted slogans outside mosques in the name of Usman Hadi, demanding the execution of Hadi’s killers. The crowd was chanting, “We will not let Hadi Bhai’s blood go to waste.” Student Ashfaqur Rahman said, “We have lost a true patriot. I couldn’t sleep last night. I came here this morning to protest. We are deeply saddened by the loss of a patriotic and brave person like martyr Usman Hadi.”
“…Then 180 million Hadis will be born”
Another protester in Bangladesh said, “If the software becomes outdated, an updated version comes out. If one Hadi is killed, 180 million Hadis will be born. They are all fools. Why don’t they understand that if one Hadi is killed, 180 million Hadis will be born? We will all together protect Hadi’s mission and vision. The mission is a short-term plan, and we will turn it into reality. You will not be confused by any words. You, the media, are the fourth pillar of the country. Through you, our message will spread throughout the world. If by mistake any wrong words come out of our mouths, please skip them. We want a revolution.”
Hindu youth burned alive at a crossroads
The worrying aspect is that fundamentalists in Bangladesh are targeting Bangladeshi Hindus under the guise of protesting against India. Hindu properties are being burned down on the pretext of insulting Islam. Hindus are being dragged out of their homes and beaten. In Mymensingh city, about 125 kilometers from Dhaka, a mob of Islamic fundamentalists dragged a Hindu man out of his house, brutally beat him, and then burned him alive at a crossroads. The Hindu man who was brutally murdered in Bangladesh was named Dipu Chandra Das. The fundamentalist mob also accused Dipu Chandra Das of insulting Islam. While he was being burned alive, hundreds of people were making videos of this brutality. Hundreds of videos of Dipu’s public murder exist, but the Bangladeshi police have found no evidence. So far, the Bangladeshi police have not even registered an FIR against the murderers.
Attacks on Cultural Centers and Hindu Culture
On Thursday night, fundamentalists in Dhaka not only targeted media houses but also attacked centers that they consider symbols of Hindu culture. Last night, the Chhayanaut Bengali Cultural Center in Dhaka was also attacked. This cultural center in Dhaka works to promote Bengali culture. The Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh, is celebrated here, which is held under a banyan tree. Chhayanaut Cultural Center hosts programs in memory of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. The spring festival is also celebrated here. This is why Islamic fundamentalists in Bangladesh oppose Chhayanaut. Last night, a mob of rioters entered Chhayanaut chanting “Allahu Akbar,” vandalized the place, and then set the building on fire.
Fundamentalists linked Hadi’s death to India
Anti-India protests had been taking place in Bangladesh for several days. Following the shooting of Usman Hadi, extremists linked the incident to India. They alleged that India had orchestrated the attack on Usman Hadi. However, the Indian government objected to these accusations, demanded evidence from the Bangladeshi government, and urged them to rein in the extremists. But Muhammad Yunus remained silent, watching the events unfold. The situation worsened significantly after Usman Hadi’s death yesterday. Extremists attempted another attack on the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong. However, due to increased security measures at the diplomatic mission, the rioters’ plans were thwarted. Sheikh Hasina’s party has held Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and his government’s extremist ministers responsible for the violence and anarchy in Bangladesh.
