The namaz-e-janaza of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, was held on Saturday afternoon at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban amid a massive gathering of mourners.

Leaders and activists from various political parties and organisations, along with people from all walks of life, joined the funeral prayers. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, leaders of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, representatives of Inqilab Mancha and the National Citizens Party (NCP), as well as the chiefs of the three armed forces, were present at the janaza.

Before the prayers, brief speeches were delivered by Prof Yunus, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain and a leader of Inqilab Mancha.

Hadi’s brother, Abu Bakar Siddique, led the janaza at around 2:30pm.

From early morning, thousands of people arrived at Manik Mia Avenue in small processions. The air was filled with emotional slogans such as, “In every era, we will rise as Hadi—our struggle will continue,” and “We will not let Hadi bhai’s blood go in vain.”

Sharif Osman Hadi, also a potential candidate from Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling by rickshaw on Kalvert Road in Purana Paltan. He was later flown to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.

To attend the janaza, people from different parts of the capital began using the metro rail from early morning, leading to heavy passenger pressure at several key stations.

To ensure security, additional police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were deployed at important points across the capital. Nearly 1,000 police personnel equipped with body-worn cameras were on duty to maintain law and order. BGB also deployed 20 platoons in and around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and other sensitive areas, said BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam.

According to a post on the official Facebook page of Inqilab Mancha, Sharif Osman Hadi will be laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus, in line with his family’s wishes.