Bangladesh in Flames: Fanatic Mob Torches Father of the Nation’s Historic Residence

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

Political chaos in Bangladesh exploded into unprecedented violence as thousands of fanatics demonstrators stormed and set fire to the historic Dhanmondi 32 residence—the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father.

The attack, orchestrated under the banner of a “Bulldozer Procession,” targeted not just a national monument but a powerful symbol of Bangladesh’s independence and the fallen Sheikh Hasina regime.

The rage-fueled mob, armed with sticks, hammers, and even a crane, demolished parts of the structure while chanting slogans against the ousted Prime Minister.

The house holds profound historical significance—it was here that Mujib led Bangladesh’s independence movement and was assassinated with most of his family in a 1975 coup.

Hasina and her sister, the only survivors of the massacre, had transformed it into a state museum, visited by global dignitaries and foreign heads of state.

From her undisclosed location in India, Hasina, 77, addressed the nation via a Facebook livestream, denouncing the arsonists and accusing caretaker leader Muhammad Yunus of enabling political anarchy.

“They can demolish a building, but they cannot erase history. History takes its revenge,” she declared, her voice trembling with rage.

Hasina left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, just hours before a massive fanatics student-led uprising toppled her 16-year government.

The former prime minister now faces multiple charges, including allegations of ordering brutal crackdowns on protests that left hundreds dead and thousands injured.

She claimed her father’s home had survived Pakistan’s brutal 1971 military occupation but had now fallen victim to domestic enemies.

“Did I not do enough for you?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Why are they so afraid of this house?”

Since Yunus assumed leadership, Bangladesh has been in a state of near-constant unrest.

His pledge to hold free elections by late 2025 or early 2026 has done little to assuage the public’s fury.

On Wednesday night, at least 700 protesters besieged the Mujib residence, clashing with security forces, said police.

Some carried Molotov cocktails, while others bulldozed sections of the structure.

Riot police were deployed, but reports suggest the response was muted, leading many to question whether the government was deliberately allowing the destruction to unfold.

Eyewitnesses said a small army unit arrived at the scene, attempting to intervene, but was met with boos and taunts.

The violence quickly spilled across Dhaka, with angry mobs targeting the homes and businesses of senior Awami League leaders.

However, a post on X from the account named “Defence Pakistan” went viral yesterday (5 February) regarding the demolishing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Dhanmondi 32 residence in the capital.

The sheer scale of destruction and the government’s apparent inaction have deepened fears of a national implosion in Bangladesh.