Bangladesh prepares for volatile funeral rites has become a refrain among officials monitoring developments, as thousands of supporters are expected to converge on the burial site. Police and paramilitary units have been ordered to maintain a visible presence along procession routes, while intelligence agencies have warned of attempts by fringe groups to exploit the gathering to escalate violence. Authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on large assemblies in sensitive areas, citing risks of clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Hadi, a polarising figure known for incendiary rhetoric against neighbouring India and outspoken opposition to regional cooperation frameworks, was shot dead earlier this week under circumstances that remain under investigation. The killing has fuelled allegations of a targeted assassination, with his supporters accusing the state of failing to protect him and demanding an independent probe. Officials have refrained from attributing responsibility, saying forensic examinations and witness statements are being assessed before conclusions are drawn.
Protests that began as candlelight vigils swiftly turned confrontational in several cities, with demonstrators torching vehicles, vandalising government buildings and blocking highways. Fire service officials confirmed multiple incidents of arson overnight in Chattogram, Sylhet and parts of the capital, though no fatalities linked directly to the unrest have been reported. Hospitals treated dozens for injuries sustained during clashes with police, mostly from baton charges and tear gas exposure.
The decision to bury Hadi next to Kazi Nazrul Islam has stirred controversy beyond security concerns. Nazrul, revered as the national poet for his writings on resistance and social justice, occupies a symbolic place in the country’s cultural memory. Critics argue that placing a divisive political figure beside the poet risks politicising a national shrine, while Hadi’s party insists the location reflects his lifelong commitment to what it calls anti-imperialist ideals. Cultural organisations have urged restraint, warning against conflating literary heritage with contemporary political disputes.
Government spokespeople have appealed for calm, emphasising the right to peaceful mourning while underscoring the state’s duty to protect lives and property. The home ministry said additional patrols and checkpoints would remain in place until after the funeral, and mobile courts have been authorised to act against vandalism. Senior officials have also engaged community leaders to discourage violence and prevent the spread of inflammatory rumours on social media.
Opposition parties have adopted a cautious tone, condemning both the killing and the destruction that followed. Several leaders have called for transparency in the investigation and urged supporters to avoid actions that could invite a security crackdown. Rights groups, meanwhile, have expressed concern about the use of force against protesters, calling on authorities to ensure proportionality and uphold due process during arrests.
Analysts say the unrest reflects deeper fault lines in Bangladeshi politics, where radical narratives can gain traction during periods of economic strain and regional anxiety. Hadi’s influence, though limited electorally, resonated among segments of youth through online platforms that framed his message as resistance to external dominance. His death has amplified those narratives, creating a volatile mix of grievance, symbolism and mobilisation.