India suspended all visa operations at its Visa Application Centre in Chittagong, Bangladesh's second-largest city, effective December 21, 2025. This move follows violent unrest triggered by the death of influential youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was a student protest leader and an election candidate for the upcoming February 12 general elections. On December 12, he was shot in the head by masked attackers during a campaign event in Dhaka's Bijoynagar and later died on December 18 in Singapore. His death set off widespread attacks in Bangladesh, including stone pelting at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner’s residence in Chittagong. The Indian Visa Application Centre announced that visa-related services in Chittagong would remain suspended until further notice, pending a security review. Security was also bolstered at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and visa centre in Sylhet city. Additional Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam stated these measures aim to prevent exploitation of the situation by third parties. On December 20, Hadi was buried under tight security near the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam beside Dhaka University mosque. Tens of thousands attended the funeral, many chanting anti-India slogans such as “Delhi or Dhaka - Dhaka, Dhaka” and “brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain.”