Why did a mob in Bangladesh burn down the home of independence icon Mujibur Rahman?
The attack came in response to a controversial speech by ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rahman’s daughter, who spoke from exile in India, attempting to discredit the protest movement that led to her downfall.
Why Did a Mob in Bangladesh Burn Down the Home of Independence Icon Mujibur Rahman?
The attack followed a controversial speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mujibur Rahman’s daughter, who addressed supporters from exile in India. In her speech, she attempted to discredit the protest movement that led to her removal from power.
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Six months after a mass uprising led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a mob set fire to the home of her late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's independence leader, on Wednesday night.
Along with Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi 32, protesters also torched the homes of exiled leaders of Hasina’s party, the Awami League. The violence erupted after Hasina delivered an online speech from India, urging her supporters to oppose the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Rahman’s residence was also attacked during the July-August protests that ultimately led to Hasina’s downfall after 15 years in power. Those protests—initially sparked by discontent over a controversial job quota system—escalated into nationwide unrest after a brutal crackdown by authorities, which resulted in 834 deaths and 20,000 injuries in clashes with police.
Who Was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and What Does Dhanmondi 32 Represent?
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, widely known as "Bangabandhu" (Friend of Bengal) and "Mujib," led Bangladesh’s liberation movement against Pakistan, culminating in independence in 1971.
As the nation’s first president and later prime minister, Rahman played a pivotal role in shaping Bangladesh’s early years. However, his leadership became increasingly controversial, especially after introducing a one-party system, the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BaKSAL), on January 24, 1975. This system abolished political opposition, placed the media under state control, and required government employees, judges, and security personnel to join the ruling party.
On August 15, 1975, Rahman and most of his family were assassinated in a military coup at his Dhanmondi 32 residence. Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, survived because they were in Germany at the time. They sought refuge in India and remained there until Hasina’s return to Bangladesh in 1981.
Upon her return, Hasina declared the Dhanmondi 32 house a national museum in memory of her father and the country’s struggle for freedom. The museum was officially inaugurated on August 14, 1994, after Bangladesh transitioned back to democratic rule following years of military-backed governments. The house was a significant site in Bangladesh’s independence history, where many global leaders met Rahman before his assassination.
What Triggered the Recent Attacks?
Protesters view Rahman’s residence and properties associated with Awami League leaders as symbols of what they perceive as decades of authoritarianism, corruption, and suppression of political opposition.
Calls for the demolition of Dhanmondi 32 had been gaining momentum on social media since Hasina’s removal from power.
On Tuesday, after BBC Bangla announced that Hasina would be delivering a virtual speech the next day, the Students Against Discrimination movement—one of the leading forces behind the anti-Hasina protests—accused India of interfering in Bangladesh’s affairs.
At 6:30 PM local time (12:30 GMT) on Wednesday, the movement’s leader, Hasnat Abdullah, posted on Facebook: "Tonight, Bangladesh will be freed from the shrine of fascism."
In response, authorities reinforced security around Dhanmondi 32.
What Happened to Hasina’s Family Home?
By early evening on Wednesday, protesters had gathered near police barricades at the Dhanmondi 32 intersection in Dhaka. A brief confrontation took place when army soldiers joined the police to maintain order but withdrew soon after.
During Hasina’s live speech on social media, she accused the interim government of unlawfully seizing power and called on her supporters to resist. Her remarks further enraged protesters, many of whom were affiliated with the Students Against Discrimination movement.
Angry demonstrators, armed with sticks, hammers, and other tools, stormed the Dhanmondi 32 house before setting it on fire. Others brought a crane and an excavator to demolish the building.
As the demolition began, thousands of protesters erupted in cheers, chanting:
"Smash the fascist stronghold, tear it down! Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka! In Abu Sayeed’s Bengal, there’s no place for Hindutva."
(Abu Sayeed was a protester killed in the security crackdown last July. "Hindutva" refers to the Hindu nationalist ideology associated with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.)
How Did Authorities Respond?
When reporters asked Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali about the security response, he said: "We tried. I was there myself late into the night."
However, no arrests have been made so far.
Which Other Buildings Were Targeted?
Since Wednesday night, at least 19 cities across Bangladesh have witnessed similar incidents, according to Prothom Alo.
Targets included:
- Awami League offices in Cumilla and Tangail
- Homes of key exiled Awami League leaders in Khulna, Noakhali, and Kushtia
- Destruction of Sheikh Mujib’s murals in Sylhet and Rangpur
No casualties have been reported, but Awami League sources claimed that two party members—one of them a woman—were assaulted.
How Have the Government and Political Figures Reacted?
The interim government condemned the attack as "regrettable" but attributed it to "public outrage" over Hasina’s speech. Officials accused Hasina of "insulting the martyrs of the July uprising" and "inciting instability."
A statement from interim leader Muhammad Yunus’s office read:
"Her words have reopened the wounds of the July massacre, leading to the backlash at Dhanmondi 32. The government urges India not to allow its territory to be used for destabilizing Bangladesh."
The government assured that "law enforcement is taking all necessary steps to restore order" and indicated that "legal action may be taken against those inciting violence."
Meanwhile, opposition leaders blamed Hasina for the unrest.
Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said Hasina was responsible for "inciting chaos" with her speech.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a senior figure in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, suggested that "some groups may be orchestrating this violence to derail democracy." He also questioned India’s potential involvement.
What Does This Mean for the Future of the Awami League?
Once Bangladesh’s dominant political force, the Awami League now faces significant public hostility.
Analysts see the destruction of Rahman’s residence as a symbolic rejection of the party’s legacy, particularly among the students and youth who spearheaded last year’s protests.
Rezaul Karim Rony, editor of Joban magazine, said:
"The house should have been destroyed immediately after the Awami League fell on August 5. Now, Hasina’s denial of the uprising and her incitement from exile have prompted people to finish what was left."
He added: "Many disagree with this step, but they must recognize that fascism in Bangladesh began with Mujib and peaked under Hasina. The Awami League’s muscle-based politics is over, as the July uprising has demonstrated."
According to Rony, the Awami League has "no future"—even with a change in leadership.
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