Hadi laid to rest beside Kazi Nazrul Islam after emotional farewell

Thousands of people have bid an emotional farewell to Osman Hadi, convenor of the Inqilab Moncho platform who died after being shot earlier this month.

A funeral prayer service was held at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex on Saturday and was attended by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, members of the interim government’s Advisory Council, senior political leaders and people from across the country.

The funeral prayers were led by Hadi’s elder brother, Abu Bakar Siddique.

'EXPRESSION OF THE HIGHEST HONOUR'

After the service, mourners marched alongside the hearse towards Shahbagh.

Hadi was then laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the mausoleum on the Dhaka University campus.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, described Osman Hadi as the “third martyr in the movement against Indian aggression” in Bangladesh.

Speaking after attending Hadi’s funeral, Mahmudur said he had joined ordinary mourners at the ceremony and declined an invitation from the chief adviser to meet separately.

“I have come here today to lay Hadi to rest,” he said after the burial of Hadi on Dhaka University campus.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan said Hadi had become a part of the country's history.

“May Allah accept the sacrifice he made for the country,” he said.

He also described Hadi's burial beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as an expression of the highest honour for the slain activist.

OUTPOURING OF TRIBUTES

Earlier, thousands of mourners packed Manik Mia Avenue to attend Hadi's funeral prayers.

Speaking before the prayers, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, expressed anger that no arrests had been made more than a week after the killing.

“Osman Hadi was shot 168 hours ago. Has the killer been arrested? Has the government given any assurance?”

He said those responsible included not only the gunmen but also those who planned and supported the attack, and demanded that all involved be brought to justice.

Jaber called on Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant Khuda Bakhsh Chowdhury to publicly explain within 24 hours what steps had been taken, warning that they should be prepared to resign if they fail to do so.

At the same time, he urged supporters not to respond to any calls for violence, saying all decisions would be announced by Inqilab Moncho.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus later addressed the gathering, saying Hadi would “live on in the hearts of all Bangladeshis”.

“Dear Osman Hadi, we have not come here to say goodbye. As long as Bangladesh exists, you will remain an inseparable part of this nation.”

He said Hadi had left behind values centred on humanity, humility and peaceful political engagement, adding that those ideals should guide the country’s future politics.

Hadi’s elder brother Abu Bakar spoke of Hadi's 8-month-old child and recalled conversations he had had with his brother before the child was named.

He said Hadi had sought to convey a message to the people of Bangladesh about defending the country’s independence and sovereignty, adding it would be a shame if those responsible for the killing were allowed to escape justice.

Security around the funeral was tight, with the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh and police deployed across the area. Large crowds began arriving along Manik Mia Avenue from early morning, filling the road by midday.

Many mourners carried or wore the national flag and chanted slogans calling for justice.

Saturday is being observed as a day of state mourning following Hadi’s death, with the national flag flown at half-mast and special prayers held at places of worship.

Hadi, who had announced plans to run as an independent for the Dhaka-8 seat in the upcoming election, was shot at close range on Dec 12 while travelling by rickshaw in the capital's Bijoynagar area. Police said two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to a private hospital in the capital, where he was treated in intensive care. On Dec 15, he was flown by air ambulance to Singapore for advanced treatment, but died there on Thursday.

His death has sparked protests and unrest across the country, prompting heightened security measures in the capital, including the deployment of BGB.