Among rising political chaos in Bangladesh, protesters burned down and partly tore down the historical home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of Bangladesh. After a passionate online speech by Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Rahman and the deposed former Prime Minister, demanding her followers rise against the interim administration, this strike happened.
The Attack on Dhanmondi-32
Violent protests happened at Rahman’s Dhanmondi-32 house, which has great importance to Bangladesh’s past. Surrounding the house, thousands of protesters equipped with sticks, hammers, as well as other tools. Trying to demolish parts of the building, some protesters even brought a bulldozer and a crane. Still others launched fires throughout the house.
The rally, known as the ‘bulldozer march,’ was arranged to interrupt Hasina’s planned online address in which she was to urge opposition to the interim administration. Particularly from political parties against her leadership and the recently established administration, Hasina’s speech has provoked serious opinions.
Political Furies Melted
The fierce political mood in Bangladesh is shown by the residence’s violent assault and the continuous protests. Most of the protesters teamed with the ‘Students Against Discrimination’ organization, which opposes Hasina’s power and regards her speech as a head-on opposition to the acting government.
Political tensions have soared since Sheikh Hasina lost power in August 2024, with demonstrations and violence increasing. With groups calling for political transformation and the restoration of democracy, the government under temporary leaders is under increasing pressure.
Bangladesh’s historical importance rests greatly on the house at Dhanmondi-32. This was where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced in 1971 the nation’s independence from Pakistan, therefore a turning point in the fight for independence. Later, this same house became the site of a national disaster when assassins killed Mujib and the majority of his family in 1975.
Hasina, one of the few survivors, converted the home into a museum honoring her father’s legacy and the hard-earned independence of the country following the killing. Therefore the assault on this house is also a symbolic strike on the independence and heritage of Bangladesh as well as a bodily assault on her personal history.
Sheikh Hasina’s reaction to the assault
Hasina said about the attack, ‘They can raze a building, but not the history. “History takes its revenge.” Her words show the rebellion of a leader who has experienced both personal and world events. She also begged citizens to reject the provisional administration, claiming that they were getting control by unlawful ways and eroding the democratic process.
Spanish protests driven by students call for political transformation.
The student-organized groups leading the demonstrations, meanwhile, have promised to abolish the 1972 Constitution on the grounds that it symbolizes Mujib’s political inheritance. These organizations want a return of what they regard as actual democracy and want the political structure reformed.
The demonstrations are a strong reminder of the political unrest and division present in Bangladesh. The future of the country’s leadership is still up in the air as both sides fight over the interim government’s legitimacy and Bangladesh’s way forward with tensions running high.
