Inqilab Moncho has announced that they will not withdraw from the streets until all those involved in the killing of the party's spokesperson Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi are arrested and brought to justice.
They also warned that it may be forced to escalate its movement by besieging cantonment or Jamuna if the situation deteriorates.
The declaration came on Friday afternoon through a Facebook post by Inqilab Moncho, calling on people across Bangladesh to gather at Shahbagh and join the ongoing sit-in demanding justice for the murder of Osman Hadi.
As per its prior announcement, Inqilab Moncho began a blockade at Shahbagh after Jumma prayers on Friday. People from different walks of life joined the protest, which continued for nearly five hours. The prolonged blockade caused severe traffic congestion on surrounding roads, disrupting normal movement in the capital.
Speaking at the protest, the party's Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said the movement would continue until every individual involved in the killing — including planners and perpetrators — is arrested.
“We will not leave the streets until all those responsible for the murder of Shahid Hadi are arrested,” he said. “There is no option for us to return home anymore. We have blocked Shahbagh today, and we will do so again tomorrow. People from across the country are joining this movement.”
Hadi’s brother, Sharif Omar bin Hadi, who also addressed the gathering, accused the government of lacking sincerity over the issue of justice. He warned that tougher programmes could be announced if the demands are ignored.
“Looking at the government’s actions, it is clear they have no real interest in ensuring justice,” he said.
“The demand for justice for Osman Hadi is now the demand of 180 million people of Bangladesh. We have taken to the streets, and we will not return home until justice is delivered. If necessary, we will be compelled to announce even harsher programmes. Before the situation worsens, we want to make it clear — do not force us to lay siege to the cantonment or Jamuna.”
Shaheed Osman Hadi was a prominent figure of the July mass uprising and founded Inqilab Mancha in August last year. He was also a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency and had been actively involved in grassroots outreach for a long time.
On December 12, shortly after Jumma prayers, Osman Hadi was shot while riding a rickshaw on Culvert Road in the capital’s Purana Paltan area. The assailants shot him in the head and fled the scene on a motorcycle. He was later taken to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
His janaza was held last Saturday at Manik Mia Avenue, attended by hundreds of thousands of people. He was later laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the central mosque of Dhaka University.
Since his death, Inqilab Moncho has been carrying out a series of protest programmes demanding the arrest and trial of the killers. As part of the latest phase, protesters blocked Shahbagh intersection, chanting slogans such as “Apos na Songram, Songram Songram,” “Amra sobai Hadi hobo, juge juge lore jabo” “Shahbagh na insaf, insaf insaf,” “Bichar bichar chai, Hadi hottar bichar chai,” “Jei Hadi jonotar, sei Hadi more na” “ Bangladesher Azadi, Osman Hadi”and “Sushilotar din shesh, bichar chai Bangladesh.”
Leaders of Inqilab Mancha said the movement would continue nationwide until visible progress is made in the investigation and those responsible are held accountable.
