Thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, armed with sticks, hammers, and other tools, to demolish a historic house once occupied by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding leader. On Wednesday night, the protesters employed a crane and excavator to dismantle the building, which had been converted into a museum by ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The demonstrators, driven by demands for Hasina's execution due to her alleged role in hundreds of deaths during last year's uprising, viewed the house as a "symbol of fascism."
The protest, organized by the Students Against Discrimination group, aimed to disrupt Sheikh Hasina's scheduled online address as part of a broader initiative called the "Bulldozer Procession." The student-led movement behind these protests has expressed intentions to dismantle Bangladesh's 1972 constitution, further intensifying tensions in the region. The protesters also chanted slogans criticizing India, where Hasina has resided since fleeing Bangladesh last August amid accusations of extrajudicial killings and suppression of opposition voices during her 15-year rule.
"Tonight Bangladesh will be freed from the pilgrimage site of fascism," declared Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent voice among the demonstrators.
While the house once symbolized national pride, the protesters believe its demolition marks liberation from an oppressive past. Mohammad Arefin, a leading figure in the student movement, justified their actions by stating,
"Since we, the students, have formed the government through revolution, we find it legitimate to demolish it."
Sheikh Hasina, in response to the unrest, delivered a passionate social media speech urging her supporters to stand against the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Yunus has sought Hasina's extradition back to Bangladesh; however, India has not yet responded to these requests. Hasina has called for a United Nations investigation into the deaths that occurred during the uprising.
"They can demolish a building, but not the history. History takes its revenge," Hasina remarked defiantly in her address.
The protest highlights growing tensions between the student-led movement and those loyal to the former prime minister. It raises questions about the future political landscape in Bangladesh and the direction it might take under the current interim leadership. As events unfold, both domestic and international communities watch closely.
