We beside the nation isshell-shocked to have witnessed how, Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent MP aspirant for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, was shot from pointblank range by two assailants from a running motorcyclein the capital's Paltan area on Friday noon, leaving him critically injured.
The victim yet remains in a critical state with severe brain and lung injury as his life is hanging on a thread. Another dream has been visibly cut short by violence, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and a renewed sense of urgency to confront the causes that allow such tragedies to occur.
However, the gruesome shooting incident took place just after a day the election schedule was announced last Thursday.It has not only shaken the conscience by sending shockwaves to the society, but it has also placed the burning question over precarious state of safety & security of our politicians and MP candidates.
While the killer has been reportedly identified, it is obvious that another key reason behind the shooting is to jeopardize the run-up to the election days, instill fear among people and politicians, and ultimately block it from taking place in safe and peaceful manner.
Such a brutal and painful occurrence demands more than just condemnation and condolences. It calls for transparency, accountability and a prompt thorough investigation, so to restore public trust. We demand for clear answers on what happened, and justice must follow facts wherever they lead. Silence, delay or ambiguity would not only fuel mistrust, but may well empower a dark fascist force to target and attack country's democratic transition and free-speech.
At the same time, the shooting of Osman Hadi compels us to confront broader questions.
How come gun violence continue to claim lives with such alarming regularity? Why is the state repeatedly failing to ensure safety and security of its people? And who is next after Hadi?
These are disturbing questions for sure, but avoiding them only confirms recurrence of the same tragedy.
The Interim Government, law enforcement agencies and policymakers must respond not just with statements, but with action. And this includes stand beside Hadi's grieving family, protectintegrity of the investigation and address systemic issues that make violence feel inevitable rather than preventable.
We call on the government to ensure speedy justice for Hadi's assailants, since we honour his promising life combatting with death. That said - honouringHadi means refusing to give up, refuse to normalize violenceand insist that justice, transparency and reform are not optional in today's Bangladesh - they are indispensable.
Courtesy: Bangladesh Observer
