Fri Feb 07 06:27:00 UTC 2025: ## Historic Dhaka Residence of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Demolished by Mob
**DHAKA, BANGLADESH** – The iconic Dhanmondi-32 residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was demolished by a mob on February 5th, sparking outrage and condemnation internationally. The vandalism followed a social media call for a “bulldozer procession” and coincided with a speech by Sheikh Hasina, Rahman’s daughter and former Prime Minister, who currently lives in exile in India. In an emotional audio address, Hasina, visibly upset, declared that while the structure could be destroyed, its historical significance could not be erased.
The house holds immense historical significance, witnessing two pivotal moments in Bangladeshi history. In 1971, following the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, it was the site of a daring solo rescue mission by an unarmed Indian soldier, Major Ashok Tara, who successfully negotiated the release of Rahman’s wife and children from Pakistani captivity despite facing armed threats. Major Tara’s bravery was later recognized with the Friend of Bangladesh award.
Tragically, the same residence was the scene of a brutal massacre in 1975, when Rahman and 18 family members were killed by a group of Bangladesh army personnel. Sheikh Hasina and her sister, who were abroad at the time, survived. Following her return to Bangladesh, Hasina prevented the house from being auctioned, establishing it as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum.
India, which played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s liberation and provided refuge to Hasina and her family, strongly condemned the demolition, calling it “regrettable.” The Indian External Affairs Ministry underscored the building’s importance to Bangladesh’s national consciousness and its representation of the nation’s struggle for freedom. The incident has reignited tensions and further fueled political unrest within Bangladesh.
First Piper 