'Bangladesh won't forget your mantra': Yunus vows to fulfill anti-India leader Hadi's dream; what he said

Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, addressing the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi at Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday, said the nation would remember Sharif Osman Hadi forever and work to fulfil his dream.

He noted that while millions had gathered at the venue in waves, crores of people across Bangladesh and Bangladeshis living abroad were waiting to hear about Hadi.


"We have come to make a promise to you-that what you told us, we will fulfill," Yunus said, as cited by the Daily Star. "You have given us such a mantra that this nation will never forget. It will echo in our ears forever.”

The chief adviser noted the message would guide every Bangladeshi throughout life, instilling a sense of dignity and resilience, with a reminder that “our heads will never bow down.”

Emphasising Hadi’s enduring legacy, he said Hadi would live on in the nation’s memory, continuing to inspire people through his ideals for generations to come.

"Today, on behalf of all of us, we make a promise to you that we will move forward imbued with your mantra," Yunus said while concluding his address.

Hadi, a prominent youth leader, was shot in the head by masked gunmen on December 12 while attending an election campaign in the Bijoynagar area of central Dhaka. He was later taken abroad for advanced medical treatment but died from his injuries in Singapore on Thursday.

Bangladesh held Hadi’s funeral earlier on Friday in Dhaka, with a large crowd attending under heightened security arrangements.

Officials said investigations into the killing and the security lapse were ongoing, with law enforcement placed on high alert to prevent further violence.

The murder sparked widespread protests in Dhaka, where thousands took to the streets late Thursday and early Friday, demanding justice.

The unrest soon spread beyond the capital, with demonstrators attempting to march toward Indian diplomatic sites and vandalising properties linked to the former ruling Awami League.

During the violence, offices of prominent media houses, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were targeted, while protesters also vented their anger at the partially demolished home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In a late-night Facebook post on Thursday, Inquilab Monchi said, “Through destruction and fire, certain groups aim to render Bangladesh an ineffective state. They seek to undermine the independence and sovereignty of our country. You must understand -- 32 and 36 are not the same.”

The government on Friday highlighted the importance of the upcoming elections and referendum, describing them as “not merely political exercises, but a solemn national commitment.” It added, “this promise is inseparable from the dream for which Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi gave his life. Honouring his sacrifice demands restraint, responsibility, and a firm commitment to reject hatred.”