Bangladesh crisis: Rioteers, demanding hanging for Sheikh Hasina, vandalises Bangabandu Mujibur Rahman’s residence

A violent mob stormed and vandalised the historic residence of Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. Reports from Dhaka Tribune and ANI confirmed that attackers, many wielding hammers and crowbars, breached the main gate of the house at Dhanmondi-32 and caused considerable damage to the property. Visuals showed flames engulfing parts of the structure as chaos unfolded.

The house, which had once been home to Mujibur Rahman, the father of Bangladesh, before his assassination in 1975, was later converted into a museum by his daughter, Sheikh Hasina. The attack took place amid heightened political unrest following the violent ouster of Hasina’s government, last year.

What triggered the recent violence?

The violence was sparked by a speech that Sheikh Hasina was set to deliver virtually from exile in India. Hasina, who was forced to flee Bangladesh to save her live from the contrived protest that turned violent, had planned to address her supporters online.

Since her ouster, Islamists have been running amuck in an increasing Islamised Bangladeshi society, and have been committing religious atrocities on Hindus and politically motivated violence, attacks and killings of the Awami league leaders and cadres. Against this backdrop, her planned address to galvanise her Awami league supporters back home, irked rioteers who issued threat saying that they will carry out a “Bulldozer Procession” towards the Dhanmondi-32 residence if Hasina went ahead with her speech. By 10:45 pm, an excavator had arrived to demolish the house, following hours of protests.

Protesters, who began gathering around 8:00 pm, forced their way into the premises, breaking through barriers and damaging various sections of the house. Many stormed the second floor, destroying portraits of Mujibur Rahman and smashing museum artefacts.

Sheikh Hasina’s Response

After the attack, Hasina condemned the violence, stating, “They do not have the power to destroy the country’s independence with bulldozers. They may destroy a building, but they won’t be able to erase the history.”

She urged the people of Bangladesh to resist the new regime, accusing them of taking power through unconstitutional means.

Attackers’ Slogans

The attackers chanted slogans, including:

“Fashi Fashi Fashi Chai, Sheikh Hasinar Fashi Chai!” (We demand execution, Sheikh Hasina’s execution!)

“Sara Banglae Khobor De, Mujibbader Kobor De!” (Spread the word across Bengal, bury the Mujibists!)

“Awami League-er Pretatta, Bangladeshe Thakbe Na!” (The ghost of Awami League will not remain in Bangladesh!)

“Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka!” (Not Delhi, Dhaka Dhaka!)

“Mujibader Astana, Ei Banglae Thakbena!” (Mujibism will have no place in Bengal!)

“Inquilab Zindabad!” (Long live the revolution!)

A protester said, “Awami League won’t be allowed to participate in any election in Bangladesh.”

Security and Government Response

Despite the presence of at least a hundred law enforcement personnel at the entrance of Dhanmondi-32 road, they did not intervene as the mob carried out the attack.

Authorities later claimed they had no prior knowledge of the planned “Bulldozer Procession.” Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division), said around 7:30 pm that they were unaware of such an event. Additional Commissioner SN Nazrul Islam repeated the same, denying any forewarning about the violence.

Online Mobilisation and Previous Attacks

Social media played a crucial role in mobilising the protesters. Earlier in the day, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the so-called Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, posted on Facebook: “Tonight, the land of Bangladesh will be freed from fascism.”

Other political figures, including Sharif Osman Hadi, leader of the Inquilab Mancha, also shared posts hinting at the planned attack.

This was not the first attack on the Dhanmondi-32 residence. On August 5, another group of demonstrators stormed the site, setting parts of it on fire.

The tension looks high in Bangladesh. The attack on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic home has intensified fears of further unrest in the country. The situation of religious minorities has already degraded by consistent attacks on them. It is quite hard to understand what kind of revolution our neighbouring country is going through where they already have control of the government, administration and courts. Despite the violence and vandalism, they are not stopping. A country with increased radical people in society has forgotten to show their gratitude towards their freedom fighters. If the situation continues like this, the political culture of Bangladesh will die, and the society will suffer from anarchism for a long time.