The government has declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday (20 December) following the death of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Thursday night (18 December).
At the outset of his address, Professor Yunus expressed condolences and prayed for the forgiveness of Hadi’s soul. “I pray to Almighty Allah to accept this immortal soldier of the struggle against fascism and domination as a martyr,” he said. “I express my deep sorrow and grief at his untimely death. His passing is an irreparable loss to the country’s political and democratic landscape.”
Announcing the state mourning, the Chief Adviser said, “In view of the untimely death of martyr Osman Hadi, a one-day state mourning will be observed next Saturday.” He added that the national flag would be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, as well as public and private buildings, and at Bangladesh missions abroad.
Professor Yunus also said that special prayers would be held after Friday prayers (19 December) at mosques across the country seeking forgiveness for Hadi’s soul. Special prayers will also be offered at places of worship of other faiths.
Earlier on Thursday night, a message posted on Osman Hadi’s verified Facebook page stated: “In the struggle against Indian domination, the great revolutionary Osman Hadi has been accepted as a martyr by Allah.” The Inqilab Manch’s official Facebook page also confirmed his death.
Meanwhile, Dr Md Abdul Ahad, a neurosurgeon at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and member secretary of the National Health Alliance (NHA), confirmed Hadi’s death in a video message. He said Hadi had died at Singapore General Hospital. “We have learned from Singapore General Hospital that Hadi bhai has left us,” he said, calling on supporters of the July uprising to stand by the country and extend support to Hadi’s family.
Osman Hadi was shot on Friday (12 December), a day after the national election schedule was announced. He was attacked by assailants while travelling in a rickshaw on Box Culvert Road in Old Paltan, Dhaka, after being shot from a moving motorcycle. At the time, he was campaigning as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency.
