Bangladesh Protests Live Updates: Massive crowd at Osman Hadi's funeral in Dhaka

The funeral procession of Osman Hadi, a key leader of the protests against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is underway at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven people in connection with the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh district on Friday, the interim government said.

ongress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, condemning targetted mob attacks and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which he said amounted to an assault on press freedom and the foundations of a pluralistic society.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan condemned the brutal killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, calling it a "demonic act" that shames the 21st century. In a post on X, Kalyan expressed grief for the loss and offered condolences to the family.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk also appealed for restraint, urging people to stay away from violence. "Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all," he said.

The United Nations on Friday called on the authorities to carry out a swift, impartial, comprehensive and transparent investigation into the attack that resulted in the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, stressing the need for due process and accountability.

Protest leaders urged the interim government to shut down the Indian High Commission until the suspects were returned

Members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), a major offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which led last year’s protests, joined the demonstrations, raising anti-India slogans and alleging that Hadi’s assailants had fled to India after the killing.

In Dhaka on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters tried to gather outside Indian diplomatic locations, including the residence of India’s deputy high commissioner, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Hadi’s death sparked widespread protests in Dhaka, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets late Thursday and early Friday to demand justice.

He was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning in central Dhaka, according to investigators. They said an assailant on a motorcycle opened fire at him as he was travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw for electioneering.

Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning in central Dhaka, according to investigators.

Hadi died in Singapore on Thursday night (local time) after battling for his life for six days following a shooting in Dhaka earlier this month, according to a press release from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Based on the family’s request, Hadi will be laid to rest beside poet Nazrul. A janaza will be held on Saturday after Zuhr prayers at Manik Mia Avenue. Instead of today, tomorrow the procession will bring the body to DU’s central mosque," Zuma was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi will be laid to rest beside Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at his family’s request, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) leader Fatima Tasnim Zuma said.