Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ On Wednesday, a large group of protesters attacked and set fire to the Dhaka residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, during a live online address by his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This distressing incident took place at the historic 32 Dhanmondi residence, a building of significant national importance, where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared the formal independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. The residence was also the site of his tragic assassination in 1975. Hasina later transformed the home into a museum in his honor. According to eyewitnesses, several thousand people gathered outside the house in the Dhanmondi area of Dhaka on Wednesday evening, after a social media campaign called for a “Bulldozer Procession” to coincide with Hasina’s scheduled address at 9 pm (BST). As the former Prime Minister began her speech, the protesters, who had earlier warned they would demolish the building, stormed the house, dismantling its walls. Some protesters brought a crane and excavator to further damage the structure.
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Hasina, who was visibly emotional during her address, expressed her distress over the attack on the house, which had become an iconic symbol of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence. “They cannot destroy the history, the national flag, or the independence we earned through the sacrifice of millions of martyrs,” she stated, referring to the attackers’ efforts. She questioned the motive behind the assault, emphasizing that the house represented her family’s deep connection to the nation’s history. Hasina lamented, “Why destroy a house that represents so much of our struggle and sacrifice?. We have lost our only memory of our father, and today this house is being erased from history.” She warned, “History will take its revenge.” In her impassioned speech, Hasina also raised concerns about the current political climate, which she argued was being manipulated by the ongoing protests and the current regime, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
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The attack on the 32 Dhanmondi residence is not the first time it has been targeted. Earlier in August 2024, it was set on fire when Hasina’s nearly 16-year rule was ousted by protests. At the time, Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, fled Bangladesh for India. Hasina, who described the house as a “sacred site” of her father’s legacy, expressed her disbelief over the attack. “This house has seen more destruction, even from Pakistani troops during the war of independence, but it was never demolished,” Hasina noted. “Yet today, it faces an attack from our own people.” The house, originally the residence of Sheikh Mujib, had been converted into a memorial and museum, open to the public to honor the man known as “Bangabandhu” (Friend of Bengal). International dignitaries and heads of state had visited the site during Awami League’s tenure to pay respects to Bangladesh’s founding father.
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Hasina also highlighted how the violence of the past few days had severely impacted the country’s law and order, warning that such unrest would lead to further instability. “This lawlessness undermines our democracy,” she said. She also pointed out the role of certain student groups, who she accused of being misled by political forces into supporting violence and dismantling key national institutions. The protest was organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which had been active in recent months, calling for sweeping changes to the country’s political system. Abdul Hannan Masud, a key organizer of the movement, was seen calling for the demolition of all former Awami League leaders’ properties. The movement had also previously expressed intentions to abolish the 1972 constitution and proposed changes to the national anthem adopted after Bangladesh’s independence.
Sheikh Hasina’s address, which focused on the importance of resisting efforts to erase Bangladesh’s legacy, included a direct appeal to students who were part of the protests. She urged them to focus on their education rather than engaging in violence. “You have been misled by political forces. Please return to your studies to build a future that will serve your country,” she implored. Hasina’s speech also touched upon the personal toll the violence had taken on her and her family, referring to the numerous assassination attempts on her life throughout the years. “If Allah has spared me through all these attacks, there must be a reason. How could I have survived so many attempts on my life?” she said. She pointed to the conspiracy she believes is being orchestrated to eliminate her and her family from the political scene.
As tensions continued to rise, a group of soldiers arrived at the site to try to disperse the crowds. However, the protesters met their efforts with boos and chants. In an act of non-compliance, the crowd also damaged a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, defacing it with slogans like “There won’t be 32 anymore.” Amid these chaotic events, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury confirmed that the interim government was taking steps to extradite Hasina and others from India under the terms of the extradition treaty. This comes as Hasina has been living in India since August 2024 after she fled the country following the collapse of her government.
In response to the ongoing violence, the Bangladesh Interim Government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has expressed its discontent with Hasina’s speech, calling it “inflammatory” and accusing her of inciting violence. Yunus’s press wing released a statement claiming that the protests and subsequent vandalism at the 32 Dhanmondi residence were a direct result of Hasina’s remarks. Meanwhile, the Indian government has condemned the attack on the historic site, with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressing regret over the destruction. “The house at 32 Dhanmondi is not just a building; it is a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said in a statement.
Amid these tensions, the human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, has issued a report that praises some of the interim government’s reform efforts but also criticizes the resurgence of security force abuses against Awami League supporters and journalists. As the situation continues to evolve, the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape remains uncertain. Furthermore, Sheikh Hasina’s call for unity and resistance against efforts to rewrite history echoes the nation’s ongoing struggle for stability, freedom, and recognition of its independence. The attack on her father’s house may have been a symbolic gesture, but it sparks deeper questions about the trajectory of Bangladesh’s democracy, law and order, and its political future.
