New Delhi: Protesters in Bangladesh have torched and demolished parts of Dhanmondi-32, the residence of former Prime Minister and founding father of the country, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
Following calls for demolishing what they called “pilgrimage site of fascism” an event titled “bulldozer procession” was scheduled by the protesters for 9 pm on February 5, reported The Daily Star.
The bulldozer procession coincided with a virtual event that was announced by the now-banned Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League. According to the Chhatra League, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was slated to speak at the virtual event.
But hundreds of protesters stormed Dhanmondi 32 and started tearing it down with shovels and hammers around 8 pm on February 5, later setting it on fire.
The protesters also set fire to Sudha Sadan, the Dhanmondi residence of Hasina’s late husband and nuclear scientist MA Wazed Miah, around 11:00pm.
By 10:45 pm, an excavator was brought in to demolish the house, reported the Dhaka Tribune.
The protesters also chanted slogans demanding the execution of Hasina, who has been residing in India since she was removed from power in August last year after massive protests against her regime.
The demolition continued on Thursday (February 6) morning. Prothom Alo reported that most of the front section of the three-storey house has been already demolished.
Following the incident, Bangladesh conveyed its protest to India over Hasina’s activities staying in India which Dhaka termed as provocative.
Bangladesh interim government terms incident as ‘expression of anger’
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain told reporters on Thursday that Bangladesh has handed over a protest note to the Indian acting High Commissioner calling him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported United News of Bangladesh.
“We will see what steps India takes,” Hossain said. He added that Dhaka keeps requesting India so that Hasina refrains from such activities.
Hossain said India has said that it is not giving Hasina any platform.
On being asked about the international media’s reaction to the destruction of Dhanmondi 32, Hossain said, “We know it will come negatively (destruction at Dhanmondi 32.”
“We see it as an expression of anger,” he said, adding that the government would try to stop repetition of such thing.
