Protesters set fire to ex-Bangladesh PM’s family home

Demonstrators in Bangladesh have damaged and ignited the previous family residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with the homes of other party members. The turmoil was ignited by reports that Hasina would communicate with the nation through social media from India, where she has been in exile since being removed from power by student-led protests last year.

The 77-year-old Hasina, who led Bangladesh for two decades, was viewed as an autocrat whose administration harshly suppressed opposition. On Wednesday evening, an excavator destroyed the residence of Hasina’s deceased father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh. The building was transformed into a museum. Hasina’s father is generally regarded as a hero of independence, but resentment towards his daughter has marred his legacy among her detractors.

During a Facebook livestream, Hasina denounced the assault and called for “justice.”

“They can demolish a building, but they can’t erase history,” she said.

Although Hasina escaped to India last August, resentment towards her and her Awami League associates remains. On Wednesday, demonstrators also destroyed and set fire to the properties and enterprises of prominent Awami League officials. There have been demands on social media to eliminate the nation’s “pilgrimage locations of fascism.”

Authorities reported that approximately 700 demonstrators gathered at the residence on Wednesday night, and numerous police officers were dispatched. Following Hasina’s removal, a caretaker administration headed by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has maintained the nation’s operations.

However, it has faced difficulties in calming ongoing unrest. In recent months, thousands of protesters have flooded the streets, calling for the prosecution of Hasina due to her lethal response to student demonstrations.  As Yunus’ administration seeks Hasina’s extradition from India, it faces an impending economic crisis – Yunus has claimed that Hasina fabricated Bangladesh’s economic growth and funneled billions of dollars throughout her tenure.

Yunus has committed to conduct elections in late 2025 or early 2026.