Bangladesh Newspapers Targeted as Protests Turn Violent
Protests in Dhaka escalate after the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, as two major newspapers are attacked and journalists report being trapped during a blaze, ahead of February elections.
Violent protests in Bangladesh intensified after the death of a young protest leader who helped steer recent demonstrations. Overnight, staff at two major newspapers were targeted, their offices set on fire and workers briefly trapped inside. The country now faces a tense moment ahead of its February elections.
What happened
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a senior activist with the student group Inqilab Mancha, died from injuries after being shot in Dhaka last week. He was a high-profile critic of the government and had emerged as a leading voice in the street protests that challenged former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration. On Thursday night, hundreds of protesters stormed the offices of the English-language Daily Star and the Bengali daily Prothom Alo; the demonstrations continued into the next day.
Impact on media
In a statement, the Daily Star described the incident as one of the darkest days for independent journalism in Bangladesh. For the first time in 35 years, the Daily Star could not publish its print edition on Friday and faced operations as 'inoperable for a while', according to consulting editor Kamal Ahmed. He said 28 colleagues were trapped on a building rooftop for hours and had to be rescued with military help. Prothom Alo’s building also sustained heavy fire damage, with smoke still rising on Friday.
Context and motives
The two outlets have long been viewed as secular and critical of government policy, which has made them targets during Hasina’s administrations. Since the July 2024 uprising, both papers have continued to scrutinize the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, potentially angering some of its supporters.
Official response
The interim administration condemned the violence and pledged to bring those responsible to full justice. It said attacks on journalists amount to an attack on truth itself and reiterated that the country is in the midst of a historic democratic transition that should not be derailed by chaos.
Election context and other targets
Other prominent sites, including the home of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were vandalized or set on fire on Thursday. Bangladesh is preparing for elections scheduled in February—the first since Hasina’s departure—and Hadi’s death has added to the pressure surrounding the vote.
Victim’s profile
Hadi was a rising figure among students and youth activists who challenged Hasina’s rule. He also voiced criticism of neighboring India, a topic that features in the broader regional debate. He planned to run as an independent candidate in February. He was shot as he left a Dhaka mosque on 12 December and died later in a Singapore hospital. Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 after widespread protests, faced a death sentence in November for crimes against humanity tied to a crackdown on protesters.
Expert analysis
Analysts say the violence underscores the fragility of Bangladesh’s political transition and the vulnerability of the press during volatile election periods. The events may lead to tighter security at newsrooms but could also bolster opposition narratives ahead of the polls.
Summary
The assault on two major newspapers highlights the risks to press freedom in a period of political upheaval in Bangladesh. Authorities promise justice for those behind the attacks, and the incident compounds concerns as the country nears a February election. The death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi has intensified calls for accountability and a peaceful democratic process.
Key takeaway: Attacks on media outlets during political upheaval threaten press freedom and democratic progress in Bangladesh ahead of the February elections. Source: BBC News
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