Jakarta – Protesters in Bangladesh have damaged and set fire to the home of the late father of the overthrown prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, as well as the homes of other members of her party.
According to BBC on Saturday (February 8, 2025), the unrest was sparked by news that Hasina would deliver a speech in the country via social media from India, where she has been living as a refugee since protests led by students succeeded in overthrowing her last year.
Hasina, 77, who ruled Bangladesh for 20 years, is seen as an autocrat whose government ruthlessly suppressed the opposition.
On Wednesday night local time, an excavator demolished the house of Hasina’s late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was also the founding president of Bangladesh. The building had been converted into a museum. Hasina’s father is widely regarded as a national hero, but he has also been targeted by critics of his daughter, Hasina.
In a Facebook live broadcast, Hasina condemned the attack and demanded “justice.”
“They can demolish a building, but they cannot erase history,” she said.
Hasina, once praised as a democracy icon, has seen her reputation deteriorate since assuming office. She has been accused of election rigging, imprisoning her critics, and her government is widely considered corrupt.
She is facing arrest warrants for cracking down on protests led by students last year, which resulted in hundreds of deaths.
While Hasina fled to India last August, anger against her and her party colleagues in the Awami League has not subsided.
On Wednesday, protesters also damaged and set fire to the homes and businesses of senior Awami League leaders. Social media calls have emerged to rid the country of “sites of fascism.”
