A day of national mourning has been declared on Saturday (December 20) following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the frontline leaders of the July Uprising and convener of the Inqilab Mancha. Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus made the announcement in an address to the nation on Thursday night.

In his address, the Chief Advisor said that the nation is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. In his memory, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on Saturday in all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, government and private buildings in the country, and Bangladesh missions abroad.

In addition, special prayers and prayers will be organized in every mosque of the country after Friday (December 19) after Juma for the forgiveness of the soul of Shaheed Osman Hadi. At the same time, special prayers have been ordered in other religious places of worship for the peace of his soul.

Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of the anti-hegemonic platform Inqilab Manch, breathed his last while undergoing treatment late on Wednesday night, Singapore time. After being seriously injured in a terrorist attack in the capital, he was first treated at DMCH and later at Evercare Hospital. When his condition deteriorated, he was officially sent to Singapore for better treatment.

Osman Hadi came into the spotlight through his active role in the July 24 uprising. He was known for his vocal stance against Indian hegemony and fascism. His regular participation in television talk shows and his statements on social media went viral. He was preparing to run as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections.

He had expressed death threats before being shot. In his Facebook post last November, he said that he was receiving death threats from multiple domestic and foreign numbers and that he was being kept under constant surveillance. However, despite the risk to his life, he did not withdraw from the movement.

On December 12, after Friday prayers, two terrorists on a motorcycle opened fire on him while he was campaigning in the Box Culvert area of ​​Bijoynagar in the capital. He was seriously injured after being shot in the head.

Police and RAB have so far detained and arrested 14 people on charges of involvement in the incident. The names of former leader of the banned organization Chhatra League, Faisal Karim Masud, and his associate Alamgir Sheikh have emerged as the main suspects. They are currently absconding outside the country, according to relevant sources.