Violence Erupts in Bangladesh Following Activist's Death Amid Protests
Protests Erupt in Bangladesh After Activist's Death
Significant unrest broke out in Bangladesh following the death of a key activist during the 2024 student protests that resulted in the removal of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 while exiting a mosque in Dhaka and succumbed to his injuries on Thursday in a Singapore hospital.
Upon hearing the news of his passing on Thursday night, his supporters flooded the streets of Dhaka, demanding justice for his murder.
Protesters vandalized the offices of two local newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. Additionally, demonstrators reportedly destroyed the regional office of Hasina’s Awami League in Rajshahi.
Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, referred to Hadi’s death as an “irreparable loss for the nation” and called for calm among the protesters. He announced special prayers at mosques on Friday and declared a day of mourning for Saturday.
Workers' Union Protest Canceled Amid Police Restrictions
A coalition of workers' unions has canceled a planned protest against a bill aimed at replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme after the Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration. The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha had intended to protest the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill on Friday.
The protest was set to occur at Jantar Mantar, a designated area for such events in the capital. However, police officials warned the organizers that they had not provided the required 10 days’ notice.
The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha condemned the police's “high-handedness” and asserted its commitment to continue protesting against the repeal of MGNREGA whenever possible.
Critics have denounced the VB – Ram G bill for undermining the rights-based framework that was foundational to the MGNREGA, which was introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2005.
Singapore Police Clarify Investigation into Singer's Death
The Singapore Police have reiterated that their investigation into the death of singer Zubeen Garg has not indicated any foul play. This statement comes a week after a Special Investigation Team in India filed charges against four individuals for allegedly murdering the singer.
Garg passed away on September 19 during a yacht trip in Singapore, just a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. A death certificate issued by authorities in Singapore stated that he drowned.
However, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently claimed that Garg’s death was a murder, not an accident.
In light of this, the Singapore Police have requested patience from the public and urged against speculation and the dissemination of unverified information.
Delhi High Court Overturns Charges Against MP
The Delhi High Court has overturned a Lokpal order that allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file charges against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-queries case. The CBI alleged that Moitra shared her login credentials for the Parliament website with businessman Darshan Hiranandani and accepted gifts in return for posing questions in the Lok Sabha.
Moitra has acknowledged sharing her Parliament login details with Hiranandani but denied receiving any cash or gifts.
The High Court, in its ruling on Friday, stated that the Lokpal made an error in interpreting the provisions of the Lokpal Act.
It instructed the Lokpal to reassess the prosecution sanction in accordance with the law within a month.