New Delhi: Violent protests erupted in Dhaka on Wednesday evening as demonstrators stormed and vandalised the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi-32. The attack coincided with a scheduled online event where deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was slated to speak, organised by the now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The protest, which was originally announced as a “Bulldozer Procession” set for 9pm, escalated ahead of schedule. By 8.05pm, protesters had forcibly entered the premises, breaking open the main gate. According to reports in the local media, they also started vandalising the property and started shouting slogans against Sheikh Hasina and Awami League.
At approximately 8:30 pm, protesters set fire to items on the residence’s roof, causing significant damage to the historic property. Many of the assailants climbed to the second floor, using hammers, crowbars, and wooden planks to destroy portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other sections of the house.
Security lapses raise concerns
Despite the nature of the protest, and the presence of at least a hundred law enforcers, it appeared insufficient. According to reports, the security men stationed at the entrance of Dhanmondi-32 road did not intervene during the attack.
A local daily quoted Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division), stating that the authorities had no knowledge of any planned “Bulldozer Procession”. DMP additional commissioner SN Nazrul Islam also claimed to be unaware of the demonstration.
Political tensions escalate
Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government was ousted in a mass uprising last year. Since then, tensions have remained high, with anti-government groups openly criticising the former administration.
Earlier in the day, convener of the anti-discrimination student movement, Hasnat Abdullah in a post on Facebook, wrote: “Tonight, the land of Bangladesh will be freed from fascism.” Similar sentiments were echoed by others on social media, who warned of the planned attack.
This is not the first time the Dhanmondi-32 residence has been targeted. It was also attacked after the fall of Awami League government in August 5.
