Between 18 and 20 December 2025, a series of riots, arson attacks, and political unrest occurred across Bangladesh, following the death of Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncho, who died on 18 December from an assassination attempt on 12 December. Following the announcement of his death, his supporters targeted various institutions, including the offices of the national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, cultural sites, diplomatic missions of India, and Awami League-related sites.[1][2][3]
On 12 December 2025, Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants. These individuals were later identified as members of the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, which had been outlawed in Bangladesh since August 2024. Reports indicated that the assailants fled Bangladesh to take shelter in India. On 18 December, Hadi succumbed to his gunshot wounds at Singapore General Hospital. Before the outbreak of violence, nationwide demonstrations were held in various locations across the country.
Violence
Violence against media
On the night of 18 December, Mostakur Rahman, vice-president of RUCSU and a leader of Islami Chhatra Shibir, called for the shutdown of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star at a protest rally in Rajshahi; his remarks circulated widely on social media.[4][5] That night, a mob of protesters marched from Shahbagh to the Karwan Bazar area, targeting the headquarters of Prothom Alo (Pragati Bhaban). Witnesses reported that the attackers scaled the building's grille, vandalized the reception area, and set fire to furniture and documents at the entrance.[6][7][8]
Subsequently, the mob moved to the nearby building of The Daily Star. Attackers, described by witnesses as chanting "Nara-e-Takbeer" and "Allahu Akbar", breached the main gate and vandalized the ground and first floors.[9] They set the lobby ablaze before stealing many office amenities, trapping approximately 25 to 28 journalists and staff on the roof due to rising toxic smoke.[10] The besieged journalists were later rescued by the fire service and the army.[11] Nurul Kabir, the editor of New Age, stated that he was physically assaulted and branded an "Indian agent" by the crowd when he attempted to intervene.[12][13]
Attacks on cultural sites
Following the news of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, Mostafizur Rahman—secretary of the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) unit at Jahangirnagar University—addressed a protest rally on 18 December.[14] Rahman stated that "true independence" for Bangladesh required a "cultural struggle" rather than just a political one. He called for the dismantling of the "cultural hegemony" of organizations such as Chhayanaut and Udichi.[15][14] Additionally, he demanded the severance of diplomatic ties with India and the expulsion of Indian nationals from Bangladesh until former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was extradited.[14]
Following criticism on social media regarding his use of the word tosh-nosh (dismantle/devastate), Rahman issued a clarification via Facebook. He stated that the term was not intended to incite violence but referred to challenging "fascist narratives" through systematic and institutional means. He characterized the struggle as disciplined and constitutional.[14][16]
In the early hours of 19 December, unidentified attackers targeted the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in Dhanmondi. The attackers vandalized the auditorium and set fire to classrooms of the Nalonda school.[17][18] Witnesses reported that the perpetrators chanted Islamic slogans and justified the attacks by labeling Chhayanaut as a "promoter of Indian culture".[19][20]
On 19 December, a fire broke out at the central office of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi on Topkhana Road in Dhaka. Udichi leader Amit Ranjan Dey alleged the fire was deliberate, though the Fire Service had not confirmed the cause.[21]
Arson in Lakshmipur
On 19 December, the residence of a BNP joint organizing secretary, was set on fire in Bhavaniganj Union, Lakshmipur Sadar. The family was inside the building at the time. The fire resulted in the death of one child, and injuries to other members of the family.[22][23][24][25]
Protesters also targeted the site of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum (Dhanmondi 32), which had been demolished during the August 2024 uprising. The mob damaged the remaining debris and burned posters of Sheikh Hasina.[30][31]
In Chittagong, protesters clashed with police while attempting to storm the Assistant High Commission of India.[32] Separately, mobs set fire to the residences of the late former mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury[33] and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel.[34][35] On 19 December, house of Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of Jatiya Party faction and National Democratic Front, was vandalized and arsoned at around 11.40 pm.[36][37][38]
The violence was characterized by strong anti-India sentiment. Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) issued statements describing the situation as a "war" and demanded the closure of the Indian High Commission until Hadi's "killers" were returned. In response to security threats, Indian authorities temporarily closed their visa centres in Rajshahi and Khulna.[44][45]
Reactions
Government
Chief Adviser of BangladeshMuhammad Yunus described the attacks on the national dailies as "tantamount to an attack on independent media," stating that the incident created "a major obstacle to the country's democratic progress."[46]
The government increased the presence of law enforcement agencies in major cities, including the police and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) units. Officials stated that security measures were necessary to prevent further escalation, while some opposition figures and civil society groups questioned the proportionality of the state response.[47][48] Election commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah stated that the joint forces of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army will conduct regular operations untill the 2026 general election for ensuring public safety.[49]
Non-government
The attacks were condemned by several organizations, including the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB),[50] the Editors' Council, and Transparency International Bangladesh.[51] The Media Freedom Coalition expressed deep concern and condemned the violence, stating that such actions undermine press freedom and violate the public's right to information.[52][53][54][55]
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