Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Residence Torched Amid Protests
The vandalism of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence has sparked widespread condemnation, with India condemning the act and Hasina stating that "a structure can be erased but history cannot be wiped out." The incident has significant implications for the future of Bangladesh and the Awami League, with many analysts believing that it could signal the end of the party's relevance.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, was set on fire by a mob on February 5, 2025, following a speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from exile in India, in which she discredited the protest movement that led to her removal. The attack on the residence, a symbol of Bangladesh's independence movement, has significant historical value and has hosted various leaders.
The house was attacked during the July-August protests against Hasina, and thousands of people gathered outside the residence, storming the house and setting it alight, before demolishing it. Protesters cheered and chanted slogans, with some taking tokens from the site. The protest was largely peaceful, with no reported casualties. The government called the vandalism "regrettable" and attributed it to "public outrage" over Hasina's speech.
The attack on the residence is seen as a rejection of the Awami League's legacy, particularly among students and young people who led the July protests. Analysts believe that the party's stance on the July uprising, led by ousted PM Hasina, has led to widespread hostility towards the party. Some analysts believe that this could signal the end of the Awami League's relevance, citing the party's tainted legacy and its long history of authoritarianism.
The residence holds significant historical value, particularly due to an Indian rescue mission in 1971. Major Ashok Tara, an Indian soldier, single-handedly entered the residence alone and unarmed, defying repeated warnings from Pakistani guards, to rescue the family and prove to the guards that Pakistan had surrendered and Dhaka had been taken. The residence was later turned into the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum by Hasina upon her return to Bangladesh in 1981.
The interim government has warned of legal action against those inciting violence and will "firmly resist" future vandalism. Bangladesh is facing escalating tensions following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, and the attack on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence has added to the uncertainty and instability in the country.
