Dhaka Funeral Raises Alarms Over Radicalisation and Political Instability in Bangladesh

A large public funeral for Osman Hadi, convenor of Inquilab Moncho, in Dhaka has become a focal point for concerns regarding radicalisation and political stability in Bangladesh. The event, which drew thousands, extended beyond a traditional mourning ceremony, incorporating political slogans and mobilisation, transforming it into a display of street power.

Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunuss remarks at the funeral have intensified these concerns. Yunus not only mourned Hadi but also elevated his political ambitions as a national lesson and referred to him as a martyr, despite Hadi being widely perceived as an anti-India Islamist radical. This move has been seen by critics as legitimising a controversial figure.

Observers highlight a 48-hour ultimatum issued by elements associated with the funeral, demanding the resignation or arrest of Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chaudhry and his deputy, threatening their replacement by Jamaat-i-Islami. Concurrently, the indefinite closure of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy suggests a growing influence of fundamentalist elements, raising fears of potential human rights issues and a broader shift towards extremism within the country.