Cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has called for national unity following the shooting of activist and independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka. Speaking on Saturday, Farooki said that the violence recalls the 'killings of July,' when pro-liberation voices were targeted, and warned that the perpetrators, some of whom remain abroad, continue to threaten Bangladesh’s democratic values.

Farooki criticized growing political infighting ahead of the upcoming elections, saying that internal divisions strengthen those who oppose freedom and justice. He urged political parties to act responsibly, emphasizing that Bangladesh faces a decade-long struggle to preserve its independence and sovereignty. He declared that fascist forces have yet to accept justice and continue to pursue a politics of violence.

Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on Friday in Bijoynagar. Doctors at Dhaka Medical College and later Evercare Hospital reported his condition as stable after surgery. A medical board stated no further operations are planned for now.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has condemned the attack on Osman Hadi, describing it as an assault on democracy. Speaking at a protest rally in front of the party’s Naya Paltan office in Dhaka, Abbas said Hadi, who was shot and injured, is like a son to him. He demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers and accused a rival political group of orchestrating the violence to destabilize the political environment.

Abbas alleged that soon after the shooting, social media posts from members of a specific political party attempted to incite unrest. He claimed the incident was premeditated and aimed at disrupting Hadi’s treatment. Other senior BNP leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Ishraq Hossain, also addressed the gathering, urging justice and restraint.

The rally concluded with a protest march through central Dhaka. The incident has heightened political tension ahead of upcoming electoral activities, with BNP leaders warning against further attempts to provoke instability.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Liberation and Democracy Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma has called on the public to help identify and capture three individuals allegedly connected to the shooting of Inquilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. On Saturday, Juma posted a photo on social media marking the three suspects and urged citizens to assist, criticizing authorities for failing to provide updates on the investigation.

The appeal follows Friday’s attack in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, where Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle shortly after the announcement of Bangladesh’s 13th national election schedule. According to Inquilab Manch member Mohammad Osama, the attackers had joined Hadi’s campaign team two weeks earlier but disappeared for several days before reappearing. Hadi remains under treatment at a private hospital in critical condition.

The incident has heightened concerns over pre-election violence and the safety of political activists. Law enforcement agencies have yet to confirm the identities of the suspects or make any arrests.

BNP central publicity secretary and Tangail-5 candidate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has pledged to protect Bangladesh’s democracy, describing it as a legacy earned through the sacrifices of countless martyrs. Speaking at a protest rally in Tangail on Saturday, he condemned the recent shooting of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and called for unity against what he termed conspiracies by authoritarian and fascist forces.

Tuku accused anti-democratic elements of attempting to destabilize the country and undermine the electoral process. He cited recent attacks in Dhaka and Chattogram as evidence of growing political violence. The BNP leader demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the attacks and urged vigilance among citizens to safeguard sovereignty and democratic rights.

The protest march, led by Tuku, concluded at the Tangail Press Club and was attended by senior BNP and affiliate organization leaders. The incident has further intensified political tensions ahead of the upcoming national elections, with opposition leaders warning of continued unrest if attacks on activists persist.

A medical board has been formed at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to oversee the treatment of Sharif Osman Hadi, the independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Hospital authorities confirmed that Hadi’s condition is currently stable but critical, and no further surgery is planned at this stage. The board, established on Saturday morning, is led by Professor Dr. Md. Zafar Iqbal, head of Critical Care Medicine, and includes senior consultants from neurosurgery and thoracic surgery departments.

According to Dr. Abdul Ahad of Dhaka Medical College, who is monitoring Hadi’s progress, the patient is under continuous observation and receiving medication and supportive care. Hadi was transferred from Dhaka Medical College Hospital to Evercare Hospital on Friday evening following family decisions.

The shooting occurred on Friday afternoon in the Bijoynagar area when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired at Hadi from close range. Police investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the attackers.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has urged the government to ensure the safety of its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, who is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on December 25 after nearly 18 years abroad. The call came amid heightened political tension following a shooting attack on independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka, which has stirred concerns about election-time violence.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, after meeting the chief adviser on December 13, said the attack on Hadi appeared to be the work of professional shooters and should not be dismissed as an isolated incident. He emphasized that all political leaders must be guaranteed safety and called for coordinated efforts by the government, law enforcement, and the public to prevent further violence.

Ahmed reaffirmed the party’s commitment to maintaining a united anti-fascist front and warned that such attacks would not derail Bangladesh’s democratic transition. Hadi remains in critical condition, with doctors describing his brain injury as life-threatening.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Organizing Chief Hasnat Abdullah issued a fiery warning against what he termed Delhi’s dominance in Bangladesh politics. Speaking at a protest rally organized by Inquilab Mancha in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on Saturday, December 13, Abdullah declared that the ‘throne of Delhi’ would be burned in Bangladesh, denouncing any external interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Abdullah referenced the recent killing of Osman Hadi, saying the incident struck the conscience of every Bangladeshi. He criticized individuals and groups who previously supported the ruling Awami League but are now re-emerging under new identities as intellectuals or cultural activists. The NCP leader also vowed that fascist forces, regardless of their political labels, would find no place in Bangladesh.

His remarks reflect growing nationalist rhetoric among opposition-aligned groups amid heightened political tensions. Analysts note that such statements could further strain Bangladesh-India relations and intensify domestic polarization ahead of possible political realignments.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, founder secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), has said that maintaining law and order will be the biggest challenge in ensuring a fair and credible national election in Bangladesh. Speaking at a mock parliament session organized by Debate for Democracy in Dhaka, he noted that while concerns remain about the electoral environment, unity among all political parties could help overcome these fears. He emphasized that although some members of the interim government may have personal loyalties, the administration as a whole remains neutral and committed to democratic transition.

Majumdar also warned that the misuse of social media could spread misinformation and rumors about election results, urging media outlets to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms. Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, who presided over the event, alleged that recent attacks on political figures were part of attempts by domestic and foreign actors to derail the democratic process. The event concluded with a debate competition where Hazaribagh Government College emerged as the winner.

Observers say the remarks highlight growing concern over political violence, digital misinformation, and the need for institutional neutrality ahead of the polls.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the return of the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, will bring a new wave of political energy to Bangladesh. Speaking at a BNP-organized workshop in Dhaka’s Khamarbari on Saturday, he urged party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming national elections, calling the event part of the party’s broader nation-building vision.

Khosru described Tarique Rahman as a symbol of democratic struggle and expressed optimism that his arrival on June 25 would reinvigorate the movement for restoring democracy. He emphasized that the upcoming election would be a victory not just for the BNP but for democracy itself. Citing a foreign survey, he noted that respondents associated BNP leaders Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman with democratic values.

The BNP leader also cautioned against divisive and disrespectful politics, urging members to remain committed to peaceful and tolerant political practices. Senior BNP figures Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and others also addressed the event.

Independent candidate Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha, was critically injured after being shot in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday afternoon. Police said the attack occurred while Hadi was traveling in a battery-run rickshaw following a campaign event. A motorbike passenger fired a single bullet that struck Hadi in the head before fleeing. He underwent emergency surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later transferred to Evercare Hospital, where his condition remains critical.

Authorities have yet to identify the assailants, though Hadi’s associates suspect individuals who had been accompanying him during campaign activities. Photos and CCTV footage are being analyzed, and police have urged the public to share any information. Veteran crime reporters described the shooting as the work of a professional marksman due to its precision from a moving vehicle.

The attack came a day after the national election schedule was announced for February 12. The Inquilab Mancha has blamed political rivals and demanded government accountability, warning that failure to ensure safety could undermine public trust ahead of the polls.

On the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman paid deep tribute to the teachers, doctors, writers, journalists, and artists killed on December 14, 1971, by the occupying forces and their collaborators. Rahman expressed prayers for their souls and emphasized their enduring inspiration for the nation.

He stated that the martyred intellectuals had taken up the pen in defense of freedom and justice, and their assassination was a calculated attempt to cripple Bangladesh’s intellectual foundation. Rahman lamented that even after more than fifty years, the vision of those martyrs remains unfulfilled, as democracy has repeatedly faced setbacks.

Calling for renewed commitment to the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and a pluralistic political system, Rahman urged citizens to work together to build the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyred intellectuals. He also extended condolences to the families of the martyrs, reaffirming BNP’s respect for their sacrifice.

Interim government legal adviser Asif Nazrul expressed deep emotion and optimism for the recovery of Osman Hadi, describing him as a courageous and patriotic individual. In a social media post on Saturday, December 13, Nazrul said he believed that with the prayers of so many people, Hadi would return to health. His message quickly drew attention for its heartfelt tone and personal reflections.

Nazrul recalled stories shared by Hadi’s colleagues, highlighting his humility and dedication. They said Hadi often slept on bare carpets with coworkers, gave up his pillow for others, and even washed colleagues’ clothes himself. Nazrul added that hearing these accounts, along with the cries of Hadi’s sister, deeply moved everyone present at Jamuna.

The message comes amid ongoing concern following an attack on Hadi, with authorities offering a reward for information about those involved. The incident has sparked widespread sympathy and calls for justice across Bangladesh.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, General Secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, alleged that certain political factions are attempting to compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty by aligning too closely with India. Speaking at a protest in Dhaka on December 13, Fuad claimed that if some parties return to power, they would again 'sell Bangladesh to Delhi,' undermining national independence and dignity.

Fuad criticized what he described as the moral decay of political leadership, saying that individuals driven by greed and opportunism have risen to prominence in major parties. He argued that these leaders fail to recognize the nation’s true adversaries and disregard the historical struggle for sovereignty. His remarks came during a demonstration organized by Inquilab Mancha, protesting an attack on its convener Sharif Osman Hadi.

The AB Party’s statement reflects growing nationalist rhetoric ahead of Bangladesh’s next election cycle. Political analysts note that such accusations underscore rising tensions over foreign influence and internal legitimacy, signaling a contentious political environment in the coming months.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmad has called for a broad national unity against fascism and terrorism, describing it as the country’s greatest strength. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, December 13, after meeting Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, he emphasized that only through such unity can Bangladesh confront its current political and security challenges.

Ahmad stated that democratic forces must remain united within democratic alliances to resist conspiracies by extremist or authoritarian groups, both domestic and foreign. He urged a fair investigation into recent incidents and called for coordinated action among the Home Ministry, law enforcement agencies, and political parties. He also expressed support for the Inquilab Mancha’s ongoing anti-fascism and anti-terrorism rallies, pledging BNP’s participation in upcoming demonstrations at Shahbagh or the Central Shaheed Minar.

Addressing possible threats to candidates, Ahmad said vigilance and cooperation among government bodies, political parties, and citizens are essential to prevent violence and maintain stability during this tense political period.

The Bangladesh government has announced a reward of Tk 5 million for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8. The announcement was made by Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury following a law and order committee meeting at the Secretariat on Saturday.

Chowdhury stated that the government is committed to apprehending the perpetrators swiftly and ensuring the safety of all election candidates. He also mentioned that, unlike before, election candidates will now be eligible to obtain firearm licenses for personal protection, and previously deposited weapons will be returned. Authorities have already identified one suspect involved in the shooting, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

The adviser emphasized that the government is determined to protect those who played key roles in the July uprising and that special security measures are being implemented. The investigation into the attack remains ongoing, with officials urging public cooperation to bring the assailants to justice.