Capital Prepares for Final Farewell Amid Nationwide Mourning

Dhaka awoke on Saturday to a sombre and heavy atmosphere as preparations were made for the final farewell of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inkilab Manch, whose death has cast a long shadow over the nation’s political and social landscape. His body was taken in the morning for post-mortem examination to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, marking a crucial step in the formal proceedings following his tragic demise.

At around 9:30 a.m., an ambulance carrying Hadi’s body departed from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and arrived at Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital under tight security. According to official sources, once the autopsy is completed in accordance with legal procedures, the body will be returned to the morgue of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases before funeral rites commence later in the day.

From early morning, security measures around Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital were significantly reinforced. By 10 a.m., the morgue premises were under the joint supervision of members of the Ansar, police, Border Guard Bangladesh, and the army. Barricades were erected around the area, entry points were strictly controlled, and law enforcement agencies maintained a high level of alertness to prevent any untoward incidents during this sensitive period.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life began gathering around the hospital and nearby areas to pay their respects. Political activists, students, cultural figures, and ordinary citizens stood patiently, many hoping for a final glimpse of Hadi before his burial and to participate in his janaza. Faces marked by grief, silence, and quiet anger reflected the collective sense of loss felt across the capital.

Fahad Hossain, a student of Tongi Government College in Gazipur, expressed his sorrow, saying that Hadi was more than a political leader to many young people. He was a voice for those who felt unheard, someone who spoke boldly against injustice when others hesitated. His principles, honesty, and moral clarity inspired a generation, Fahad said, adding that the sudden absence of such a voice has left a void that will not be easily filled.

Hadi’s body was repatriated from Singapore on Friday, following days of anxious anticipation. His first funeral prayer is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. Later, he will be laid to rest near the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the University of Dhaka, according to family members and organisational sources.

Sharif Osman Hadi passed away at around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday while undergoing treatment in Singapore. In recognition of his death, the government has declared a day of state mourning. He was critically injured on 12 December, a day after the announcement of the election and referendum schedule, when assailants shot him in the head on Box Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area. He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was airlifted to Singapore on 15 December for advanced medical care, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Hadi’s death is not merely a personal tragedy but a profound national loss. It has left an enduring mark on Bangladesh’s political conscience and social fabric, symbolising both the risks faced by outspoken voices and the deep grief of a nation bidding farewell to one of its own.