Political analyst and former member of the Election Reform Commission Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman has alleged that the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi was a targeted assassination aimed at creating a culture of fear to derail the upcoming national elections.
Speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy on the topic "Young Voters Will Determine Victory or Defeat in the Next Election" at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) on Friday (December 19), Dr. Zahed described the incident as a "targeted killing."
"No one in the country has not felt grief over Hadi's assassination. The atmosphere created after his death is regrettable," he said, criticising the vandalism and arson attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star following Hadi's death."While there may be criticisms of Prothom Alo and Daily Star, those who loved Hadi should not have resorted to vandalism and setting fire to these media houses. The government failed to handle the situation properly. Domestic and foreign vested interests are involved behind this. When disunity emerges among us and one side threatens the other, vested interest groups take advantage," Dr. Zahed added.He warned that various vested groups active in Bangladesh do not want the country's stability.
Presiding over the event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran said despite maximum efforts, Osman Hadi could not be saved. "We are pained, heartbroken, ashamed, and alarmed by his assassination. The killers of Hadi will remain despised in history as cowards. This assassination will be recorded as a tragic dark chapter for the nation."
Kiran emphasised that Hadi's blood must not go in vain. "If Hadi's blood goes in vain, the spirit of the July uprising will fail. Although the defeated fascists have fled, their accomplices are still constantly trying to sabotage the election through threats and conspiracies. Hadi was killed as part of that effort."He noted that demands have arisen for security for national leaders and candidates following the incident. "I hope that after BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returns to the country, the government will ensure his highest security through the SSF."
The judges at the shadow parliament were journalists Kazi Hafiz, Md. Alamgir Hossain, Zakir Hossain Liton, Kazi Zebel, and Md. Atikur Rahman.
In the debate competition, the team from Dhaka Cantonment Girls' Public School and College emerged victorious, defeating Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College. Participating teams were awarded trophies, crests, and certificates at the end of the event.
Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the 2024 student-led uprising and spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka's Paltan area while campaigning as a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. He died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore, triggering widespread protests and violence across the country.
