Following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December, Bangladesh is experiencing what analysts are calling the "Hadi effect," a phenomenon potentially shaping the upcoming elections. The public display of grief, marked by a massive funeral procession in Dhaka, has raised questions about its lasting impact on the political landscape.

Political analyst Faisal Mahmud, Minister (Press) of Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, notes that while the initial outpouring of emotion was significant, history suggests that public mourning tends to fade. "Even martyrdom has a shelf life in public memory," Mahmud stated. "Ordinary people, burdened by survival, do not grieve indefinitely. Mourning fades and life intrudes."

The situation echoes the July 2024 uprising, which led to the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of that uprising, became a symbol of resistance, his image widely reproduced in public art. This historical precedent suggests that Hadi's death could similarly galvanize certain segments of the population, influencing their voting decisions.

The "Hadi effect" can be understood through the lens of sentiment analysis, an AI technique used to gauge public opinion from text and speech. By analyzing social media posts, news articles, and public statements related to Hadi's death, AI algorithms can quantify the level of support or opposition towards different political factions. This data can then be used to predict voter behavior and identify potential shifts in public sentiment.

However, the accuracy of such predictions depends on the quality and representativeness of the data. AI models can be biased if the data they are trained on does not accurately reflect the views of the entire population. Furthermore, the emotional nature of the "Hadi effect" presents a challenge for AI, as accurately capturing and interpreting nuanced human emotions remains a complex task.

The implications of the "Hadi effect" for Bangladeshi society are significant. If Hadi's death leads to increased political engagement and participation, it could strengthen the country's democratic processes. Conversely, if it exacerbates existing divisions and tensions, it could lead to further instability.

Currently, political parties are closely monitoring public sentiment in the wake of Hadi's death. The upcoming elections will serve as a crucial test of the "Hadi effect" and its influence on the outcome. Analysts are employing various methods, including AI-powered sentiment analysis, to understand the evolving dynamics of the political landscape. The next few weeks will be critical in determining the long-term impact of this event on Bangladesh's political future.