Six months after the overthrow of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a mob set fire to the house of her late father and Bangladesh’s independence hero, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Dhanmondi 32 residence, along with the homes of exiled leaders of Hasina’s party, the Awami League, were targeted by protesters following a fiery online speech delivered by Hasina from exile in India. The Dhanmondi 32 house holds significant historical importance, as Rahman, known as “Bangabandhu” and “Mujib,” played a key role in the nation’s liberation struggle against Pakistan. The recent attacks on the house and other Awami League properties are seen as symbols of authoritarian rule, corruption, and suppression of opposition voices. The interim government has condemned the vandalism, attributing it to public outrage over Hasina’s speech and calling for legal action against those inciting violence. The future of the Awami League, once a powerful political force in Bangladesh, now faces widespread hostility from sections of the population, particularly students and young people who led last year’s protests.
