In a significant escalation of unrest in Bangladesh, protesters have vandalized and set fire to the former family residence of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The house targeted by mob has historical significance because Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman lived here for years after founding Bangladesh, which broke away from Pakistan in 1971.
Videos shared on social media showed people using buildozers to knockdown the building.
The violence erupted following Hasina’s announcement that she would address the nation via social media from India, where she has been in exile since being ousted by student-led protests last year.
Hasina’s late father and the founding president of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is regarded as a national hero.
Discontent with his daughter’s leadership has overshadowed his legacy among her critics. An excavator was used to demolish the house, which had been converted into a museum.
Condemning the attack in a Facebook livestream, Hasina stated, “They can demolish a building, but they can’t erase history.”
She has faced increasing backlash for her autocratic rule, alleged election rigging, and crackdowns on dissent.
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As tensions rise, around 700 protesters gathered at the site, with many also targeting properties of senior members of Hasina’s Awami League party.
The current caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is struggling to manage ongoing unrest and economic challenges while planning elections for late 2025 or early 2026.
