Bangladesh Unrest: Daily News Star Editor Mahfuz Anam warned that threats and riots in Bangladesh have now escalated into a fight for survival. Bangladesh erupted into riots after the death of prominent youth leader. This also led to massive protests in Kolkata after the death of a Hindu man in Bangladesh.
What Led To The Bangladesh Unrest?
The 32-year-old Sharif Osman Hadi was a leading figure in last year’s student-led uprising that toppled longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was shot dead in Dhaka by masked assailants while launching his campaign for the parliamentary elections scheduled in February 2026.
The Daily Star editor speaking at a protest meeting organized by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh remarked journalists in Bangladesh were receiving explicit death threats.
World Press Freedom Index
Bangladesh ranks 149th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. Editors’ Council president and New Age editor Nurul Kabir accused the attackers of trying to burn journalists alive inside their offices.
Led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the interim government in Bangladesh is due to elect a new parliament on February 12.
India’s Reaction
India has suspended visa services with Bangladesh for an indefinite period. This was after some protestors gathered near its High Commission in New Delhi.
On the streets of Kolkata, the fallout was visible where large protests erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission. Angry protestors were fuelled by outrage over the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, on unproven blasphemy allegations. Authorities have found no evidence that the Hindu garment worker made any blasphemous remarks or social media posts.
Investigators believe the allegations against Dipu were vague, unverified and possibly used as a pretext, with a workplace dispute emerging as a potential trigger. Dipu was forced to resign and pushed out of the factory instead of being handed over to the Bangladeshi Police. At least 12 people have been arrested so far, including factory supervisors and co-workers.
