The former family home of ex-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was set ablaze by protesters in response to her planned address from India, where she is in exile. This violent backlash underscores deep-rooted tensions following her ousting and the ongoing unrest in the country.
Unrest in Bangladesh as Protesters Torch Former PM Sheikh Hasina's Family Home
Unrest in Bangladesh as Protesters Torch Former PM Sheikh Hasina's Family Home
Protests escalate in Bangladesh, targeting Sheikh Hasina’s family residence, as anger over her exile and alleged autocratic rule boil over.
In a dramatic turn of events, protesters in Bangladesh have vandalized and set fire to the former family residence of Sheikh Hasina, the ex-prime minister, along with properties linked to her political allies. The unrest ignited after Hasina announced a social media address from India, where she has been exiled since being ousted by student-led protests last year.
At 77, Hasina, who had been in power for two decades, is viewed as an autocrat who suppressed dissent during her rule. On Wednesday evening, demolition crews knocked down the building that once belonged to Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first president and an iconic independence figure. Although Rahman is celebrated by many, dissatisfaction with Hasina has cast a shadow over his legacy, with critics arguing that his daughter's actions have tarnished his reputation.
In a livestreamed response, Hasina condemned the attacks, stating, "They can demolish a building, but they can't erase history." The political landscape in Bangladesh has drastically changed; Hasina’s earlier image as a pro-democracy advocate has eroded amid accusations of electoral fraud and brutal crackdowns on dissent.
Following her ouster, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has attempted to stabilize the situation, but ongoing protests reflect widespread anger over Hasina’s past, particularly regarding the deadly student protests last year that resulted in numerous fatalities. Social media is rife with calls to dismantle what some label as "pilgrimage sites of fascism," referring to properties associated with the Awami League's leadership.
The police reported a mobilization of approximately 700 demonstrators at Hasina's residence, where numerous law enforcement officers were deployed to manage the situation. Yunus, leading the caretaker government, faces significant challenges in managing public outrage while also contending with a looming economic crisis tied to accusations against Hasina of mismanaging the nation’s resources during her presidency. With elections slated for late 2025 or early 2026, the future political landscape remains uncertain as tensions linger.
At 77, Hasina, who had been in power for two decades, is viewed as an autocrat who suppressed dissent during her rule. On Wednesday evening, demolition crews knocked down the building that once belonged to Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first president and an iconic independence figure. Although Rahman is celebrated by many, dissatisfaction with Hasina has cast a shadow over his legacy, with critics arguing that his daughter's actions have tarnished his reputation.
In a livestreamed response, Hasina condemned the attacks, stating, "They can demolish a building, but they can't erase history." The political landscape in Bangladesh has drastically changed; Hasina’s earlier image as a pro-democracy advocate has eroded amid accusations of electoral fraud and brutal crackdowns on dissent.
Following her ouster, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has attempted to stabilize the situation, but ongoing protests reflect widespread anger over Hasina’s past, particularly regarding the deadly student protests last year that resulted in numerous fatalities. Social media is rife with calls to dismantle what some label as "pilgrimage sites of fascism," referring to properties associated with the Awami League's leadership.
The police reported a mobilization of approximately 700 demonstrators at Hasina's residence, where numerous law enforcement officers were deployed to manage the situation. Yunus, leading the caretaker government, faces significant challenges in managing public outrage while also contending with a looming economic crisis tied to accusations against Hasina of mismanaging the nation’s resources during her presidency. With elections slated for late 2025 or early 2026, the future political landscape remains uncertain as tensions linger.
