Angry crowds chanting “Allahu Akbar” stormed and vandalized the Dhaka offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star late Thursday night and into early Friday, setting fires and forcing staff to seek safety as Bangladesh’s political tensions again spilled onto the streets.
The attacks unfolded in the Karwan Bazar area, a major commercial hub that also houses several media offices. Witnesses and local reports described protesters smashing glass panels, ransacking office floors, dragging furniture and documents outside, and setting piles of materials on fire.
In the case of The Daily Star, a fire broke out inside the building, with reports that staff members were temporarily trapped as smoke spread through parts of the premises. Fire service teams later brought the blaze under control, and rescue efforts were carried out.
Witnesses and victims said law enforcement agencies did not intervene while the vandalism was unfolding, even as the attacks were streamed live on social media platforms. Military personnel were seen arriving at the scene but were described by witnesses as largely standing by without intervening.
A night of fear inside newsrooms
Accounts from journalists and witnesses described a fast-moving situation. Protesters reportedly entered parts of the buildings, vandalized workspaces, and torched documents and furniture. Some staff members said they were unable to leave safely for a period of time due to the crowd outside and the fire risk.
In addition to the attacks on property, there were reports that Nurul Kabir, editor of The Daily Star, was assaulted near the office during the unrest. The reported assault further intensified concern among journalists that the violence was not only aimed at buildings, but also at individuals.
Trigger: political anger and mobilization after Hadi’s death
The violence followed intense public agitation tied to the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a controversial “July uprising” activist figure who had been shot earlier and later died while receiving treatment abroad, according to multiple reports. His death triggered large demonstrations and retaliatory actions by hardline groups and networks that had already been mobilizing in Dhaka.
In the hours after news of Hadi’s death spread, Dhaka saw a surge of protests and vandalism at multiple sites. The attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star became the most visible flashpoints because they targeted two of the country’s most influential media institutions.
Questions over security and the state’s role
The attacks raised immediate questions about why the media offices were left vulnerable in a high-security part of the capital and how crowds were able to escalate to arson before being stopped. Reports from the scene described soldiers and security personnel arriving during the unrest, but the response was widely viewed as slow and uneven.
For many observers, the night’s events fit a wider pattern under Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus–led interim government, where street power and political pressure have increasingly shaped what happens in public life, and where journalists say they face intimidation for reporting facts that powerful groups dislike.
Since August 2024, Bangladesh has been governed by an army- and Islamist-backed interim administration following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rights groups and journalists have repeatedly described a climate of fear, with reports of politically motivated cases, harassment, and restrictions on press activity. Critics argue that law enforcement has often been used to target political opponents while failing to protect citizens and institutions from mob violence.
Why these two papers matter
Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are not just newspapers. They are major agenda-setters in Bangladesh’s media ecosystem. Attacks on them send a message far beyond broken windows and burned papers. They raise fears of chilling effects on reporting at a time when the country is already polarized ahead of elections.
Journalists and press advocates warn that when mobs can punish media outlets physically, the result is often self-censorship. That risk becomes sharper when political actors frame independent reporting as “hostile” or “traitorous,” and when state protection appears uncertain.
Political fallout and wider unrest
The violence also came as Bangladesh moves toward a national election scheduled for February 2026. The interim authorities have promoted a reform agenda and promised order. But the street unrest, the arson, and the reported assault on a senior editor have added to anxiety about whether a stable environment exists for credible democratic activity.
In recent months, Bangladesh has also faced continuing allegations of attacks on minorities, raids on homes of political opponents, and violence around court premises. Minority rights groups have reported large numbers of incidents involving Hindu communities, including attacks on homes and businesses. Critics say these conditions show a broader breakdown in rule of law and accountability.
What happens next
By early Friday, emergency response teams had reportedly contained at least one of the fires. Investigations are expected, but past experience has left journalists skeptical about accountability. Many want clear answers on three points:
- Who organized and led the attacks?
- Why were media buildings not secured quickly despite obvious escalation?
- Will those responsible—both attackers and any backers—face real legal consequences?
For Bangladesh’s media community, the attacks were not just another night of unrest. They were a warning that, under the current interim order, newsrooms themselves can become battlegrounds—and that the cost may be paid in fear, silence, and further instability.
