Fri Feb 07 03:14:57 UTC 2025: ## Bangladesh Condemns Violence Following Hasina’s Speech; Protests Target Founding Father’s Home

**DHAKA, BANGLADESH** – Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, strongly condemned widespread acts of vandalism and arson across the country. This follows the demolition of the Dhaka residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father, an event the government attributes to inflammatory remarks made by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a speech from India.

In a statement released Thursday, the interim government expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and vowed to take strong action against those responsible. The government stated its commitment to protecting citizens and their property.

The demolition of the 32 Dhanmondi residence, a historical landmark and former museum, occurred on Wednesday night. While the interim government characterized the destruction as “unintended and unwanted,” it directly linked the event to Sheikh Hasina’s speech, which it said provoked anger among the populace. The statement accused Hasina of insulting those who participated in the July Uprising and threatening those involved.

A large mob, reportedly using excavators and manual tools, destroyed the residence after setting it ablaze. Although army troops attempted to intervene, they were met with hostility and ultimately withdrew. The initial arson attack occurred on August 5th, 2024, coinciding with the toppling of Hasina’s Awami League regime.

Bangladesh has formally protested Hasina’s actions to India, delivering a protest note to the acting Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka. The government stated that previous requests to India to prevent Hasina from making such statements were unanswered. The interim government awaits India’s response to the latest protest. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the country to independence, was assassinated in 1975 along with much of his family. Hasina and her sister, who were abroad at the time, later donated the residence for use as a museum.

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