Fri Feb 07 04:10:10 UTC 2025: ## Historic Home of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Burned Amidst Political Unrest

**DHAKA, Bangladesh** – The home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding father and independence hero, was burned to the ground Wednesday night. The attack followed a controversial online speech by his exiled daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in which she denounced the movement that led to her ouster six months prior.

Protesters, many affiliated with the Students Against Discrimination movement, reacted violently to Hasina’s speech, which accused the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of illegally seizing power. The mob also targeted the homes of other exiled Awami League leaders, the party Hasina once headed.

The Dhanmondi 32 residence, where Rahman was assassinated in 1975, holds significant historical importance. It was already attacked during the July-August protests that ultimately toppled Hasina’s 15-year rule, protests sparked by a controversial job quota system and fueled by a government crackdown that resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

While the interim government condemned the vandalism as “regrettable,” they attributed it to public outrage over Hasina’s speech, which they said insulted the victims of the July crackdown and incited instability. The government also urged India not to allow its territory to be used to destabilize Bangladesh.

The destruction of the house, and similar attacks on Awami League properties across the country, highlight the deep divisions within Bangladesh. While some view the actions as justified retribution for years of alleged authoritarian rule and corruption under Hasina, others mourn the loss of a historical landmark. The incident has raised concerns about the fragility of the political situation and the potential for further violence. Despite the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s assertion that they tried to prevent the attack, no arrests have yet been made. The ongoing investigation into the events and the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape remain uncertain.

Read More