Thousands of protesters in Bangladesh expressed their discontent by vandalizing a historic family home that belonged to exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The incident occurred in Dhaka, the capital city, and was fueled by Hasina's planned speech to her supporters from exile in India. Hasina, who fled the country amid accusations of suppressing dissent, faced backlash from critics who viewed her leadership as authoritarian.
The targeted house held significance as the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's independence leader, who declared the country's formal independence from Pakistan in 1971. Rahman was assassinated at the same location in 1975, following which Hasina transformed the house into a museum.
Protests escalated as some demonstrators threatened to demolish the building if Hasina proceeded with her speech, marking the beginning of a month-long protest program by her political party, the Awami League. Amid the chaos, protesters stormed the house, dismantling its brick walls and eventually using heavy machinery to demolish the structure.
Hasina, in her speech, condemned the destruction of the historic site and urged the people of Bangladesh to resist the new leadership, which she accused of coming to power through unconstitutional means. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, has sought Hasina's extradition from India but has not received a response.
The country has witnessed a wave of attacks targeting properties belonging to Awami League supporters, as tensions between different factions continue to escalate. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about security force abuses and arbitrary detentions, highlighting the need for a fair and just resolution to the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh.
