A large crowd began gathering around the Parliament area after 12 pm, while traffic on the road in front of the Parliament had been blocked since the morning. Alongside ordinary citizens, members of the advisory council and leaders of various political parties attended the funeral inside the Parliament complex.
Security was tight, with troops, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and law enforcement officers deployed in and around the area. Police set up checkpoints to screen attendees.
Usman Hadi is set to be buried at the grave of national poet Qazi Nazrul Islam within the Dhaka University campus.
Hadi, known for his criticism of India, was targeted last week in Dhaka while leaving a mosque. Unknown gunmen wearing masks opened fire on him, after which he was flown to Singapore for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
Following his death, violent protests have erupted across Bangladesh. On Friday night in Bhawaniganj, Lakshmipur, alleged vandals reportedly set fire to the house of a local BNP leader, resulting in the death of a child and injuries to three others.
