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Violence erupts in Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's speech

Harshad Dewangan 06 February 2025

A large group of protesters vandalised and set fire to the Dhaka residence of founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Wednesday. The vandalism took place when his daughter and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was addressing the people 'online'. Eyewitnesses said that thousands of people had gathered in front of the house located in the Dhanmondi area of the capital since evening. This house was earlier converted into a memorial museum.

There was a call for a "bulldozer procession" on social media, as Hasina was scheduled to deliver her address at 9 pm local time. Hasina's address was organised by the Chhatra League, the now dissolved student wing of the Awami League. In her address, the former Prime Minister called upon the countrymen to stage an organised resistance against the current regime.

Warning given to Mohammad Yunus

Hasina, apparently referring to the government of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, said, "They still do not have enough strength to bulldoze the national flag, the constitution and the freedom that we have earned at the cost of the lives of millions of martyrs." She said, "They can demolish the building, but not the history. But they should also remember that history takes its revenge." Thousands of protesters

said

that Sheikh Hasina's family house is a symbol of her dictatorship, whereas earlier it was being linked to the country's independence. This house located in the capital Dhaka was the house of Hasina's late father and Bangladesh's independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who declared the country's formal separation from Pakistan in 1971. He was assassinated in 1975. Later Hasina converted this house into a museum.

Hasina trying to gain support

Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League is trying to gain support amid allegations of attacks on its members and other supporters of Hasina. For this, the party has also started a month-long protest. Amid this protest, Sheikh Hasina started giving speeches online. Earlier on Wednesday, some protesters threatened that if the former prime minister continued her speech, they would blow up the building with a "bulldozer". As soon as Hasina began speaking, protesters stormed the house and started breaking brick walls, later bringing a crane and an excavator to demolish the building. Hasina said in response during her speech, "They do not have the power to destroy the country's independence with a bulldozer. They can destroy a building, but they will not be able to erase history." However, the demolition of the building continued. She called on the people of Bangladesh to oppose the new leaders of the country and alleged that they had gained power through "unconstitutional" means.

Sloganeering against India too

Student leader Hasnat Abdullah had warned media outlets against Hasina's speech and declared on Facebook that "tonight Bangladesh will be liberated from the shrine of fascism." Many protesters raised slogans demanding the death penalty for Hasina for the deaths of hundreds during the uprising against her last year. Hasina urged a probe into the deaths by the United Nations. Protesters also raised slogans criticising India. Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, has sought Hasina's extradition, but India has not responded.

Serious allegations against Sheikh Hasina

The interim government has been struggling to maintain order and prevent mob justice against Hasina's supporters. Bangladesh's interim government has accused the former prime minister of widespread corruption and human rights abuses during her rule that began in 2009. Hasina's Awami League has in turn accused the Yunus-led government of violating human rights and suppressing Bangladesh's minority groups, charges the authorities deny.