Violence erupted in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka late Thursday, December 18, 2025, as angry protesters set fire to the offices of the country's two most prominent newspapers. The attacks targeted the headquarters of the Bangla daily Prothom Alo and the English-language Daily Star, trapping journalists and staff inside for several hours before evacuation.
Activist's Death Sparks Widespread Unrest
The immediate trigger for the violence was the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for the cultural group Inqilab Moncho. Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on Thursday evening after battling injuries for a week. He was shot while riding a rickshaw in Dhaka on Friday, December 12. The circumstances of the shooting remain under official investigation.
News of Hadi's death spread rapidly, prompting hundreds of protesters to pour onto the streets of Dhaka. Crowds gathered at Shahbagh Square near Dhaka University, chanting slogans including "Allahu Akbar." Similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the country, reflecting heightened political and social tensions.
Newspaper Offices Targeted and Staff Trapped
As the night progressed, the protests turned directly violent towards media institutions. A group of protesters gathered outside Prothom Alo's headquarters in the Karwan Bazar area, vandalizing the building before setting it ablaze. Shortly after, another mob forced its way into the offices of the Daily Star, located a short distance away, and set that building on fire as well.
The fires trapped employees working inside. Zyma Islam, a journalist with the Daily Star, posted on Facebook from inside the burning building, stating she could not breathe due to the intense smoke. Firefighters, soldiers, and paramilitary border guards were deployed to the scenes. Security officials attempted to negotiate with the protesters while fire crews battled the flames, which were only brought under control by early Friday morning.
Broader Context and Official Response
The attacks did not occur in a vacuum. Both newspapers had faced months of protests outside their offices by Islamist groups, who accused the publications of maintaining links with India. Furthermore, protesters also targeted Chhayanaut, a leading cultural institution seen as a liberal symbol, in Dhaka's Dhanmondi neighborhood.
In a televised address late Thursday, interim leader Muhammad Yunus pledged to bring those responsible for Hadi's killing to justice. He declared Saturday a national day of mourning and appealed for public calm. Yunus assumed office three days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024.
The interim administration has faced criticism from Hasina's Awami League party and others, who blame it for a rise in Islamist influence. The government has banned all activities of the Awami League, including its participation in the parliamentary election scheduled for February.
Both Prothom Alo and the Daily Star halted updates to their online editions following the attacks and did not publish print editions on Friday. Dozens of demonstrators remained at Shahbagh Square on Friday morning, vowing to continue their protests. Hadi's body was expected to be brought back to Dhaka from Singapore on Friday evening.
