Protesters in Bangladesh have vandalised and set fire to the former family home of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with properties belonging to senior members of her Awami League party.
The unrest was sparked by news that Hasina, who has been in exile in India since being ousted by student-led protests last year, would address the country via social media. The announcement reignited public fury over her 20-year rule, widely criticized as autocratic and repressive.
On Wednesday evening, an excavator demolished the house of Hasina’s late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding president and independence hero. The structure had been converted into a museum but was targeted by protesters angered by Hasina’s legacy, which they say has tarnished her father’s reputation.
In a Facebook livestream from India, the 77-year-old Hasina condemned the attack and demanded justice. “They can demolish a building, but they can’t erase history,” she said defiantly.
Hasina, once hailed as a pro-democracy icon, has seen her reputation sour due to accusations of election rigging, corruption, and the imprisonment of political critics. Her government was also blamed for a brutal crackdown on last year’s student-led protests, which left hundreds dead. Arrest warrants remain outstanding against her.
Despite her exile in India since August 2024, anger against Hasina and her party persists. On Wednesday, protesters also targeted the homes and businesses of senior Awami League leaders. Social media campaigns have called for the removal of what some describe as “pilgrimage sites of fascism.”
Police said around 700 protesters gathered at Hasina’s family residence Wednesday night, prompting the deployment of dozens of police officers.
Since Hasina’s ouster, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has struggled to stabilize the country. Demonstrators continue to demand Hasina’s prosecution for the deadly crackdown on students.
Yunus’ administration has been grappling with a looming economic crisis, accusing Hasina of fabricating Bangladesh’s economic growth figures and laundering billions during her tenure. Efforts are underway to extradite her from India.
Yunus has pledged to hold national elections in late 2025 or early 2026, but for now, Bangladesh remains mired in political and economic uncertainty.
Follow us on:
