Bangladesh Erupts: Hadi's Death Fuels Anti-India Protests, Sparks Election Fears

• Violent protests erupted in Bangladesh following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a vocal critic of India, who was shot in Dhaka and died in Singapore.
• Anti-India sentiment escalated, leading to attacks on Indian diplomatic missions and two leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, accused of favoring India.
• The unrest is fueled by claims that Hadi's attackers fled to India and growing anti-India sentiment since former PM Sheikh Hasina's ouster.
• India is deeply concerned about the potential postponement of Bangladesh's February elections, fearing it could empower radical elements and impact regional stability.
• New Delhi also worries about the spillover effect of the instability on its own domestic politics, particularly upcoming elections in West Bengal.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's escalating unrest, fueled by anti-India sentiment, poses significant stability and election concerns for India.