Strict security cover in Dhaka ahead of Osman Hadi’s funeral

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka woke up to another tense morning as careful planning is underway for the funeral prayer and a public procession for the slain radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The funeral prayer is scheduled to be held after 2 p.m. (local time) in the South Plaza of the parliament premises with the Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammed Yunus leading the event.

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According to available information, following the funeral prayer, Hadi’s supporters will carry his mortal remains to Dhaka University where another set of prayers are expected. There are conflicting reports about plans being made to give him burial on the campus premises where he studied Political Science more than a decade ago.

There are also reports that a section of Hadi’s followers who have been camping in Dhaka’s Shahbag area want to take his coffin to Shahbag and hold a public event there leading to some kind of declaration of sorts for the upcoming political season leading to the February 12, 2026 election. In view of these plans by Hadi’s followers Dhaka has gone under a strict security cover with multiple arterial roads being blocked to ensure the general public is kept away from mixing with the emotionally charged mourners.

Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka had issued a public notice saying the event could turn violent and urged citizens residing in the capital city to avoid “large gatherings”. “His funeral prayer is expected to be held on Manik Mia Avenue [in front of the National Parliament Building], after Duhar prayer [around 1400 hours] on Saturday, December 20. Extremely heavy traffic is expected in the area and throughout Dhaka. U.S. citizens should practice vigilance and remember that gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” cautioned the U.S. Embassy.