Singapore: Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to his bullet injuries on December 18.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Balakrishnan conveyed his condolences through a letter addressed to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The letter, dated December 23, was released by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing today. In his message, Balakrishnan emphasized the devastating impact of political violence, stating, “We are all deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Mr Sharif Osman Hadi. Political violence is a scourge that inflicts deep wounds to families and society at large.”
Balakrishnan praised Hadi for his enduring legacy as a courageous youth leader committed to the people of Bangladesh. He extended his condolences to Hadi’s family and loved ones, expressing a wish for the nation to unify in peace and pursue a bright future for all its citizens. Additionally, Balakrishnan acknowledged an invitation to visit Bangladesh, expressing his eagerness to do so at a mutually convenient time.
Hadi, known for his role in the July Uprising and as the spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, was shot on December 12 while traveling in a battery-run auto-rickshaw in the Paltan area of the city. He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital as his condition worsened.
On December 15, Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical care, where he ultimately passed away on December 18, leaving the nation in mourning. Hadi was also an aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and is remembered as “an immortal soldier of the struggle against fascism and hegemony.”