December 2025 Bangladesh violence: Difference between revisions

 

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In [[Rajshahi]], A group of demonstrators bulldozed a local [[Awami League]] office<ref>{{cite web |title=Awami League office in Rajshahi demolished with bulldozer amid protests following Hadi’s death | website=The Business Standard | date=2025-12-19 | url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/awami-league-office-rajshahi-demolished-bulldozer-amid-protests-following-hadis-death | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Hadi’s death: Awami League office demolished by protesters in Rajshahi | website=bdnews24.com | date=2025-12-19 | url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/c881014a0f2b | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref> and attempted to march on the Indian diplomatic mission before being intercepted by police.<ref>{{cite web | title=Protests in Bangladesh ‘for repatriation of all killers’ as India cites security concerns | website=Dawn | date=2025-12-18 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1961852/protests-in-bangladesh-for-repatriation-of-all-killers-as-india-cites-security-concerns | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref>

In [[Rajshahi]], A group of demonstrators bulldozed a local [[Awami League]] office<ref>{{cite web |title=Awami League office in Rajshahi demolished with bulldozer amid protests following Hadi’s death | website=The Business Standard | date=2025-12-19 | url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/awami-league-office-rajshahi-demolished-bulldozer-amid-protests-following-hadis-death | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Hadi’s death: Awami League office demolished by protesters in Rajshahi | website=bdnews24.com | date=2025-12-19 | url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/c881014a0f2b | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref> and attempted to march on the Indian diplomatic mission before being intercepted by police.<ref>{{cite web | title=Protests in Bangladesh ‘for repatriation of all killers’ as India cites security concerns | website=Dawn | date=2025-12-18 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1961852/protests-in-bangladesh-for-repatriation-of-all-killers-as-india-cites-security-concerns | access-date=2025-12-19}}</ref>

In [[Bandarban]], former [[Minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs]] and Awami League politician [[Ushwe Sing]]’s house was ablazed.<ref>{{cite web|title=bdnews24.com|language=bn|title=বান্দরবানে সাবেক মন্ত্রী বীর বাহাদুরের বাড়িতে অগ্নিসংযোগ|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/samagrabangladesh/5b9ab864fc7f|date=19 December 2025}}</ref>

=== Diplomatic and political fallout ===

=== Diplomatic and political fallout ===

Ongoing violence in Bangladesh

December 2025 Bangladesh violence is an ongoing violence in Bangladesh triggered by the death of Osman Hadi, the leader of Inqilab Moncho. On 18 December 2025, Hadi died due to gunshot wounds from being shot on 13 December 2025. Following the news of his death, his supporters and followers vandalized and arsoned many places, including offices of national daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.^[1]

Late that night, a mob of protesters marched from Shahbagh to the Karwan Bazar area, targeting the Prothom Alo headquarters (Pragati Bhaban). Witnesses reported that the attackers, a group of extremist youths, scaled the building’s grille, vandalized the reception, and set fire to furniture and documents in front of the entrance.^[2][3][4]

Subsequently, the mob moved to the nearby The Daily Star building. These attackers, described by witnesses as chanting “Nara-e-Takbeer” and “Allahu Akbar,” breached the main gate and ravaged the ground and first floors.^[5] They set the lobby ablaze, trapping approximately 25 to 28 journalists and staff on the roof due to rising toxic smoke.^[6] The besieged journalists were later rescued by fire services and the army.^[7] During the incident, the editor of New Age, Nurul Kabir, was physically assaulted and branded an “Indian agent” by the crowd when he attempted to intervene.^[8][9]

In the early hours of 19 December, unidentified miscreants attacked the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in Dhanmondi, a key institution of Bengali secular culture.^[10] The attackers vandalized the auditorium and set fire to classrooms of the Nalonda school.^[11] According to witnesses, the perpetrators chanted Islamic slogans and justified the destruction by labeling Chhayanaut as a “promoter of Indian culture” that had no place in Bangladesh.^[12][13]

Around the same time, protesters also targeted the ruins of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum (Dhanmondi 32), which had been demolished during the August 2024 uprising. The mob damaged the remaining debris and burned posters of Sheikh Hasina.^[14][15]

In Chittagong, Protesters clashed with police while attempting to storm the Assistant High Commission of India, throwing stones and bricks.^[16] Separately, a mob set fire to the residence of former mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury^[17] and the former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel.^[18]

In Rajshahi, A group of demonstrators bulldozed a local Awami League office^[19][20] and attempted to march on the Indian diplomatic mission before being intercepted by police.^[21]

In Bandarban, former Minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and Awami League politician Ushwe Sing‘s house was ablazed.^[22]

The violence was characterized by strong anti-Indian sentiment. Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) issued statements framing the situation as a “war” and demanded the closure of the Indian High Commission until Hadi’s “killers” were returned. In response to the security threats, Indian authorities temporarily closed their visa centers in Rajshahi and Khulna.^[23][24]
Protesters vandalised offices of national daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.^[25] The Government of Bangladesh announced a day of mourning on 20 December honouring his death.^[26][25]

Demonstrations continued in multiple districts, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Barishal, leading to clashes between police and crowds. In Dhaka, several protests gathered at symbolic sites such as Dhanmondi 32, associated with the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and around Chhayanaut, where candlelight vigils and cultural tributes were held. Public transportation services were disrupted in several areas, and businesses in major urban centres were temporarily closed amid safety concerns.^[27][28]

Footage shared by national and international media showed fires in streets, attacks on journalists, and extensive damage to property. Some protest sites, including near educational campuses and at cultural venues such as Chhayanaut, were transformed into gathering points for vigils featuring music, poetry recitals, and speeches. Human rights organisations expressed concern over escalating violence and called for restraint from both authorities and demonstrators.^[29]

The violence was characterized by strong anti-Indian sentiment. Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) issued statements framing the situation as a “war” and demanded the closure of the Indian High Commission until Hadi’s “killers” were returned. In response to the security threats, Indian authorities temporarily closed their visa centers in Rajshahi and Khulna.^[30][31]

The government increased the presence of law enforcement agencies in major cities, including deployment of additional police and border guard units. Officials stated that the security measures were necessary to prevent further escalation, while some opposition figures and civil society groups questioned the proportionality of the state response and called for peaceful dialogue.^[32]

Analysts argued that the mixture of commemoration and violence reflected deeper divisions in the country during the run-up to the 2026 general election.^[33]