—Audite Karim—

The massive turnout of people at the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi proved that age or experience is not what makes someone an exemplary figure. Hadi lived only 32 years. Yet in this short life, he dreamed of a new Bangladesh. He spread that dream among the youth and inspired millions. Carrying an ideal in his heart and striving to spread it, he departed from this world. The name of that ideal was “Insaaf-er Bangladesh” (A Just Bangladesh).

In his unfinished life, Hadi articulated the vision of an Insaaf-er Bangladesh. The ideal is simple and clear. An Insaaf-er Bangladesh is a country where there will be no discrimination; where everyone will have equal rights; where freedom of  thought and expression will be ensured; and where justice will be the foundation of state governance. A Bangladesh free from injustice, oppression, torture, and corruption – that is what Insaaf-er Bangladesh means. This is the kind of country we have always dreamed of.

In 1971, millions of freedom-loving people sacrificed their lives for such a country. In the great Liberation War of 1971, countless martyrs shed their blood to win independence in order to establish justice.

Again, during the mass uprising of 2024, hundreds of young people poured out their fresh blood to establish justice against discrimination. Sharif Osman Hadi was one of the leading pioneers among the dream-driven youth of the new Bangladesh in 2024. After the victory of August 5, Hadi wanted to carry forward the struggle to build his dream Bangladesh. He realised that democracy is essential to establish justice – and that democracy requires a free and fair election. That is why he expressed his intention to contest the upcoming national parliamentary election. As a candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, he began campaigning. It was during this campaign that he was shot.

After battling between life and death for a week, he passed away. On December 18, Sharif Osman Hadi – one of the key fighters of the July movement – died while undergoing treatment in Singapore. A dream came to an untimely end.

Hadi’s comrades could not accept his departure. Immediately after the shooting on 12 December, people from all walks of life became vocal in demanding the arrest and trial of his attackers. In his address to the nation on the occasion of Victory Day on December 16, the Chief Adviser assured that strict action would be taken against those who attacked Hadi. But the reality is that, so far, law enforcement agencies have failed to arrest the individual identified as the prime suspect in the shooting. Since 12 December, various groups, including Inqilab Moncho, have been expressing anger over this failure. That anger reached its peak after the news of Osman Hadi’s death spread.

Throughout the night of December 18, violence raged across the country. Two newspaper offices were set on fire. Widespread vandalism and arson at various locations – including the Chhayanaut building and Udichi offices – plunged the entire country into instability. Law and order deteriorated drastically. Bangladesh burned amid widespread mob violence and destruction in different places, creating intense fear in public life.

No one desires such a situation after Hadi’s death. Such disorder and anarchy are contrary to the spirit of the July Revolution and clash with the ideals of Insaaf-er Bangladesh. It can be said with certainty that had Sharif Osman Hadi been alive, he would never have condoned such brutality and arson. He would have stood firmly against the reckless elements, because he knew that only the fallen autocrats and anti-democratic forces benefit from chaos. Such forces would find a path to return.

A situation like this unfolded on the night of 18 December. Not only Bangladesh, but the entire world condemned these events. International human rights organisations, in particular, strongly denounced the attacks on the two newspaper offices.

As a result, many people are deeply concerned. Many are asking how an election can be held under such circumstances. Is there an attempt to create an anarchic situation in the country? Were these acts of violence carried out to sabotage the election? Is there a conspiracy behind these acts of destruction? Such questions are being discussed everywhere.

This is not the Bangladesh that Sharif Osman Hadi wanted.

The death of Osman Hadi, a brave hero of the July movement, has saddened every person in this country. Regardless of political affiliation, everyone has been hurt and is grieving. The massive turnout at Hadi’s funeral on 20 December is proof of that. Very few people in this country have received such tearful love at their final farewell. This outpouring of love must be respected. Creating anarchy around his death would be an insult to martyred Sharif Osman Hadi and would cause pain to his soul.

This collective grief must be transformed into strength. To establish the Insaaf-er Bangladesh for which martyred Hadi fought, we must all work together in unity. Only then will Hadi’s soul find peace. But if we engage in infighting and create chaos through violence, establishing an Insaaf-er Bangladesh will not be possible. Terror and violence will only divide the nation, turning Bangladesh into a land of fear.

To establish Hadi’s vision of an Insaaf-er Bangladesh, peace and stability must be maintained in the country. Democracy must be established. For this reason, the election scheduled for 12 February must be free and fair. And an election can only be free and fair when law and order remain normal. The violence that spread across the country throughout last Thursday night has become a major challenge to holding a free and fair election.

Many believe that a certain group carried out these acts by falling into the trap of a conspiracy aimed at sabotaging the upcoming election. Hadi was a heroic revolutionary who stood fearlessly against injustice throughout his life. Attacking newspaper offices under the cover of darkness can never be part of Hadi’s ideals. This is not the work of the brave – it is the work of cowards.

Those who are true followers of Hadi, who truly embrace his ideals, can never create such a fragile and dangerous situation in the country. Because if such instability continues, the upcoming election will not be free and fair. It may even be derailed altogether. And if that happens, the dream of building an Insaaf-er Bangladesh will remain unfulfilled.

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Audite Karim is a writer and playwright. Email: [email protected]