Protests Erupt in Bangladesh Following Activist's Death, Newspapers Targeted

Sat Dec 20 2025 03:27:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Demonstrations shook Bangladesh after the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, leading to the burning of newspaper offices and highlighting the ongoing struggles for press freedom and democratic transition.

The recent death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi has ignited protests across Bangladesh, resulting in violent clashes and the burning of prominent newspaper offices. The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, known for their critical stance against the government, faced extensive damage as protesters sought retribution. This incident marks a significant challenge for independent journalism, as the interim government vows to punish the perpetrators amid a backdrop of political turmoil and upcoming elections.

Staff at two leading Bangladeshi newspapers say they were left gasping for air as protesters, roused by the death of a prominent activist, set their offices alight.

Sharif Osman Hadi, who had emerged as a key figure after last year's anti-government protests that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was shot in Dhaka last week and died of his injuries on Thursday.

Hundreds of protesters stormed the offices of the English-language Daily Star newspaper and Bengali daily Prothom Alo on Thursday night. The demonstrations extended into the following day.

It is one of the darkest days for independent journalism in Bangladesh, the Daily Star said in a statement.

For the first time in 35 years, the Daily Star could not publish its print edition on Friday and will be inoperable for a while, consulting editor Kamal Ahmed told the BBC.

Twenty-eight of our colleagues were trapped on the rooftop of the building for hours... They were gasping for fresh air, Ahmed said. They were rescued only after additional military reinforcement came.

No one has been seriously injured, but large parts of the buildings were completely charred when BBC Bangla visited on Friday. Smoke was still seen coming out of Prothom Alo's building.

It is unclear why the hundreds of protesters targeted the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, which have long been regarded as secular and progressive. As a result of that, they regularly came under fire during Hasina's administration.

However, since the July 2024 uprising, the two newspapers have maintained their critical stance on some of the policies of the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which may have angered its supporters.

The interim government condemned the violence, vowing to hand perpetrators full justice.

Attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself, it said in a statement on Friday.

The country is making an historic democratic transition, it said, which must not be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos and reject peace.

Other prominent buildings, including the home of the country's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were also vandalized and set on fire on Thursday.

Bangladesh is scheduled to hold elections next February, the first since Hasina's ousting.