The Inqilab Mancha has declared an indefinite blockade of Dhaka’s strategic Shahbagh intersection, vowing to remain until the perpetrators behind the assassination of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi are brought to justice. Following a massive gathering after Friday prayers, the group’s leadership announced that the occupation of the thoroughfare would continue through the night and into the following days, significantly disrupting the city’s transport arteries.
Abdullah Al Jaber, the member secretary of Inqilab Mancha, addressed the crowd at midnight, stating that the activists had prepared for a long-term vigil. In a moving tribute to the slain leader, Jaber revealed that the protesters would be using blankets originally purchased by Hadi himself for the homeless. “Hadi Bhai intended these for the poor before his life was cut short,” Jaber noted. “We will use them to sustain our protest tonight, and once justice is secured, we shall complete his mission by distributing them to the destitute.”
The movement’s demands are directed squarely at the interim administration. The Mancha has insisted that government advisers must personally appear before the public to address the security failures that allowed the primary suspects to evade capture. The group is demanding the immediate arrest of the hitmen, the architects of the conspiracy, and the officials who allegedly facilitated their escape to India.
Timeline of the Osman Hadi Assassination Case
| Date | Event Description |
| 12 December | Hadi is shot in the head by motorcyclists on Culvert Road, Purana Paltan. |
| 18 December | After being flown to Singapore for advanced care, Hadi succumbs to his injuries. |
| 20 December | A funeral prayer (Janaza) is held at Manik Mia Avenue, attended by hundreds of thousands. |
| 26 December | Inqilab Mancha begins the indefinite blockade of Shahbagh. |
| Ongoing | Prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud remains at large; reportedly fled to India. |
Despite the rigid nature of the blockade, the organisers have made a tactical concession for the sake of the student community. With a critical admission examination scheduled at Dhaka University on Saturday morning, the Mancha has clarified that candidates will be granted passage through the barricades. However, Al Jaber was quick to add that this humanitarian pause should not be mistaken for a withdrawal. “We will facilitate the students from 9:00 am, but our presence will remain absolute. We will not lift the siege under the guise of an exam,” he affirmed.
The rhetoric from the protest line has grown increasingly militant. Sharif Omar Bin Hadi, the brother of the deceased leader, warned of a significant escalation if their demands are ignored. He threatened to lead a march to Jamuna, the residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, and suggested that the “masses might be forced to surround the Cantonment” if the state fails to deliver accountability.
Osman Hadi, who emerged as a prominent voice against fascism following the July uprising, was seen as a rising political star and a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. His brazen assassination in broad daylight has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. While the police and RAB have detained several associates and family members of the suspected gunman, Faisal Karim Masud, the lack of a primary arrest continues to fuel public fury. As the vigil continues into the early hours of Saturday, the Inqilab Mancha remains steadfast, turning Shahbagh into the epicentre of a burgeoning movement for justice.