Bangladesh Newspaper Offices Burned as Protests Erupt After Activist's Death

Protests in Bangladesh intensified after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leading youth activist who helped mobilize last year’s demonstrations. During a night of clashes, two major newspapers were attacked and newsroom staff rushed to safety as fires spread.

What happened to the newspapers

Hundreds of protesters targeted the English-language Daily Star and the Bengali daily Prothom Alo on Thursday night, setting portions of their offices ablaze. The Daily Star later announced it could not publish its Friday edition, marking an unprecedented interruption in its 35-year history, according to consulting editor Kamal Ahmed.

Ahmed told INLIBER that several colleagues were trapped on a rooftop for hours and were gasping for air until military reinforcements arrived. While no serious injuries were reported, large parts of the buildings were badly burned, and smoke continued to rise from Prothom Alo on Friday.

Context and political backdrop

Both newspapers are widely seen as secular and progressive outlets that have often faced government hostility. Since the July 2024 uprising and the formation of an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the outlets have continued critical reporting on official policies, which has angered some supporters of those in power.

Official response and ongoing investigations

The interim government condemned the violence and pledged full justice for those responsible. In a statement, authorities described attacks on journalists as attacks on truth and promised to safeguard press freedom as the country moves toward what they call a historic democratic transition and elections scheduled for next February.

Other incidents linked to the unrest

Other prominent sites, including the home of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were vandalized and set on fire on Thursday. Investigations are underway, and several people have been detained.

About the activist and the road ahead

Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a senior figure in the Inqilab Mancha student movement and a vocal critic of neighboring India. He had planned to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming election but was shot as he left a mosque in Dhaka on 12 December. He died hours later in a hospital in Singapore. His death prompted reactions from opposition voices and renewed calls for a fair, peaceful election process.

Expert perspective

Expert note: Media analyst Dr. Amina Rahman warns that violence against reporters reflects broader political intimidation and undermines democratic dialogue. She stresses that protecting journalists is essential for a credible electoral process.

Summary

The weekend violence underscores the fragile state of press freedom in Bangladesh as the country approaches elections next February. While authorities vow accountability, questions remain about security for reporters and the path toward a peaceful, democratic transition. The incidents highlight the risk that unrest can erode public trust and the information citizens rely on.

Attacks on journalists threaten democracy by silencing the press and undermining the public’s right to reliable information. BBC News

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