The Bangladeshi government has declared Saturday, December 20, as a day of national mourning following the death of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July Revolution. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced the decision in a televised address on Thursday night, describing Hadi as a martyr and a steadfast fighter against fascism and domination. National flags will be flown at half-mast across all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions, as well as at Bangladeshi missions abroad.

Special prayers will be held in mosques nationwide on Friday, with other religious institutions also organizing memorial services. Hadi succumbed to his injuries in Singapore General Hospital after being shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area while campaigning as an independent candidate for Dhaka-8. His death has been confirmed by medical officials and political associates.

The incident has sparked widespread grief and renewed discussions about political violence ahead of the upcoming national elections. Authorities have yet to identify the assailants, and security measures for candidates are expected to tighten in the coming days.