Dhaka, new violent protests: Hasina's father's residence demolished

Thousands of protesters stormed Mujibur Rahman's historic residence after a speech by his daughter to her supporters. The former prime minister then broadcast a second message, in which she accused the interim government of favouring Islamists and turning Bangladesh into a ‘land of terrorists’.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was set on fire and partly demolished in a new episode of political violence between the prime minister, who fled to India in August last year, and Bangladesh's new interim government, which is also backed by Islamist groups.

Last night thousands of protesters, including some armed with sticks, hammers and other tools, gathered around the residence, considered the symbolic birthplace of Bangladesh, at 32 Dhanmondi.

A group of students, part of a movement called ‘Bulldozer Procession’ stormed the building chanting slogans and starting large-scale vandalism.

The mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, located at the entrance, was among the first targets of the protesters, which was demolished in the midst of the chaos by a crane and an excavator.

The demonstrators claimed to have acted in response to a speech by Sheikh Hasina in which the former premier, after six months of exile in India, addressed her Awami League supporters.

‘We will not allow Bangabandhu - the name by which Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is referred to in Bangladesh - and Sheikh Hasina to exist in this country,’ said one of the protesting students. Others called Hasina and her government, which lasted about 15 years, ‘fascist’.

Sheikh Hasina then condemned the violence against the residence in another speech, which lasted almost an hour and was broadcast on the Awami League's social channels.

The former premier accused the caretaker government, described as ‘illegal and unconstitutional’, of conspiring against the people and orchestrating the destruction of the country, saying Bangladesh has become a ‘land infested with extremists and terrorists’.

In her appeal, Hasina strongly condemned the demolition, saying it was an attempt to erase Bangladesh's history. ‘This house was attacked even after I left the country,’ she said, referring to the anti-government demonstrations that prompted her to take refuge in India on 5 August.

Hasina then recalled that her father declared independence from the very residence at 32 Dhanmondi before being arrested by the Pakistani army in 1971.

‘The occupation forces looted this house, but they never burnt or destroyed it,’ she pointed out. ‘My mother built every brick of this house with her own hands,’ he added, recalling that the house had been turned into a museum visited by world leaders. ‘Why was this house demolished? What is its crime? Why are you so afraid of it?’ he asked.

In 1975, Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family were murdered by members of the army while they were in the house, which was later turned into a museum at the behest of Hasina, who survived the attack.

‘Our country was a model of development, a miracle in the eyes of the world. Now it is prey to destruction and chaos,' the former premier continued.

While maintaining a conciliatory tone towards the students, Hasina urged the youth not to get involved in the unrest: ‘I understand your youthful passion, but I urge you not to be part of this destruction’.

She also warned against the rise of Islamic extremism in schools and universities, pointing out that during her government, Bangladesh had provided a conducive environment for education. ‘Do not let our schools fall into the hands of militants,’ he warned.

Hasina's party also blamed the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus for granting ‘immunity’ to the vandalism. ‘Dr Yunus and the entire interim government cannot escape responsibility for last night's destructive acts,’ a statement read.

• Bangladesh
• Hasina
• demolition
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman