GUWAHATI: The home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s independence leader and founding father, has been demolished by protesters amid growing unrest against his daughter, exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday, February 5.
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The residence in Dhaka, where Mujib declared Bangladesh’s break from Pakistan in 1971 and was later assassinated in 1975, had been turned into a museum by Hasina. However, it has now become a target for demonstrators who see it as a symbol of authoritarianism.
According to reports, the unrest broke out following news that Hasina, who has been in exile in India since being ousted by student-led protests last year, was set to address the nation via social media. The 77-year-old, who governed Bangladesh for two decades, has faced widespread criticism for alleged autocratic rule, suppression of dissent, and election rigging.
Ahead of her speech, some demonstrators threatened to "bulldoze" the property if she went ahead with the address, which marked the launch of a month-long protest programme by her Awami League party. As Hasina began speaking, protesters stormed the house, dismantled its brick walls, and later brought in a crane and excavator to demolish the building.
According to reports, over 700 protesters gathered at the residence on Wednesday night.
Since Hasina's removal from power in August, protests against her and the Awami League have continued, with demonstrators targeting the homes and businesses of party leaders. Online campaigns have called for the removal of what some have described as "pilgrimage sites of fascism."
Bangladesh has been governed by a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina's departure. However, the interim government has struggled to contain the ongoing unrest, as thousands continue to demand Hasina’s prosecution over last year’s deadly crackdown on student protesters, which left hundreds dead.
Yunus has accused Hasina of fabricating economic growth figures and laundering billions of dollars during her tenure. He has pledged to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026.