Shahbag Sees Surge of Support as Calls Grow for Osman Hadi Murder Trial
A steady stream of people has recently been gathering along the Shahbag route beside the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka (DU). Men, women and children alike are seen standing near the boundary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s mausoleum, paying tribute at the grave of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. From prayers offered during grave visitation to slogans raised at blockade programmes by the Inqilab Mancha, one demand echoes repeatedly: justice for the killing of Hadi.
On Sunday (December 28), such scenes were observed throughout the day across the University of Dhaka and Shahbag areas. Many stood near the grave holding placards demanding punishment for the killers. Some raised their hands in prayer, others wept quietly, while many stood silently for long moments—appearing to seek a sense of closeness with Osman Hadi.
At the courtyard of the DU Central Mosque adjacent to the graveyard, Siam, a student of Adamjee Cantonment School, spoke while visiting the grave with his father. He told Sarabangla, “Sharif Osman Hadi was a revolutionary of this country. We were his followers during his lifetime. By visiting his grave, we want to commit ourselves to serving the country along the path he showed.”
Meanwhile, a short distance away at Shahbag intersection, Inqilab Mancha staged a blockade demanding justice for Osman Hadi’s murder. Beginning at 2:00 pm on Sunday, protesters occupied the area, which they have named “Shaheed Osman Hadi Chattar.” People from various walks of life joined the demonstration, chanting slogans such as “Tumi ke, ami ke—Hadi Hadi” and “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka.”
Many participants expressed solidarity with the movement. Ashraful, who had come to Dhaka for a University of Dhaka science faculty admission test, said he stayed on after the exam to join the protest. “I want to return home after standing in solidarity with the demand for justice for Hadi bhai,” he said.
Mohammad Faizullah, a businessman from Sarail in Brahmanbaria, said, “Inqilab Mancha was a dream of Shaheed Osman Hadi. If this platform fails to push for justice for the man who envisioned it, then the dream will remain unfulfilled. We want to help carry this movement forward.”
Every day, thousands continue to visit Hadi’s grave, many sitting nearby in silent reflection before heading to join the Shahbag protests. On Saturday night (December 27), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner S M Sazzat Ali and Adviser for Information and Environment Syeda Rizwana Hasan visited the protesters at Shahbag.
Commissioner Sazzat Ali stated that a charge sheet in the Hadi murder case would be submitted by January 7. Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that if the accused had fled to India, cooperation would be sought to bring them back once located.
The same day, Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber issued strong warnings to political parties and the government regarding justice for Hadi’s killing and the future of the platform. Despite the visit by senior officials, Inqilab Mancha reiterated its demands for a charge sheet within three days and completion of the trial within 26 working days, also announcing blockade programmes in eight divisions across the country.
Separately, the DMP said at a press briefing on Sunday that two accused in the Hadi murder case had fled to India. Two individuals, identified as Purti and Sami, were arrested for allegedly assisting in their escape. Later that night, at around 10:45 pm, Inqilab Mancha posted a statement on its Facebook page outlining four demands, including completing the trial of Osman bin Hadi’s murder within 24 days.
DBTech/OR
