Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has condemned the recent attack on the residence of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, following protests that saw the historic building set on fire by demonstrators. Speaking out against the destruction, Hasina declared, “A structure can be erased, but history cannot be wiped out.” Her comments were made in a virtual address shared via her party’s social media channels, where she expressed her anger and disappointment at the attack.
Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after a student-led protest ousted her Awami League government, called the attack on the 32 Dhanmondi residence, an iconic site in Bangladesh’s independence struggle, deeply disrespectful. “Why fear a house? I seek justice from the people of Bangladesh. Have I not done anything for my country? Then, why such disrespect? The only memory that both my sister and I have clung to is being wiped out. A structure can be erased, but history cannot be wiped out,” she lamented. Hasina also warned that “history takes its revenge,” underscoring the importance of preserving the nation’s heritage.
The residence, which played a significant role in the fight for Bangladesh’s independence, had been converted into a museum under Hasina’s leadership. It had been visited by numerous foreign dignitaries and held immense historical value for the country. The fire, which occurred on the night of Wednesday, followed Hasina’s online appeal to Awami League supporters to protest against the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Hasina’s call for action appears to have triggered the violence, which resulted in widespread damage to the residence.
In her speech, Hasina reflected on her life, remarking on the many assassination attempts she has survived over the years. “If Allah has kept me alive through all these attacks, there must be some work left for me. Otherwise, how could I have escaped death so many times?” She added that the latest attacks were part of a larger plan orchestrated by Yunus to eliminate her and her family. “The meticulous plan by Muhammad Yunus this time was to kill me and my sister,” she claimed, intensifying her criticism of the interim leader.
Further, Hasina accused Yunus of misusing funds that were intended to support the Grameen Bank, a venture she had supported during her tenure as prime minister. “I funded Grameen Bank with 4,000 million Bangladeshi taka, but the entire amount was laundered. Bangladesh is suffering due to one man’s personal ambitions,” she alleged. Hasina has long been a critic of Yunus, whom she holds responsible for the current political crisis in Bangladesh.
Hasina also addressed the ongoing student protests, urging young people to withdraw from the violence. She expressed concern that students had been misled by political groups and warned against their manipulation. “At this age, it is easy to be manipulated,” she said, urging students to disengage from the turmoil that had been escalating across the nation. The former prime minister also condemned the violence against police officers and Awami League supporters, calling it an attack on law and order. “Such actions are destabilising the country and undermining democratic governance,” she asserted.
More Read
In addition to the protests, Hasina expressed concerns over the state of governance since her departure, particularly in relation to the education system. Under her leadership, textbooks had been provided on time, but she claimed this was no longer the case. The disruption to education, she argued, was a reflection of the governance issues currently plaguing Bangladesh.
She also spoke of the ongoing efforts by the Yunus-led government to have her extradited from India, where she currently resides. Despite these calls, Hasina’s visa has been extended by New Delhi. She faces several legal cases, including charges related to crimes against humanity, a situation that has further strained her relationship with the interim government.
In conclusion, Hasina made it clear that she views herself as a survivor of many attempts on her life and as a staunch advocate for the preservation of Bangladesh’s history and legacy. She urged the people of Bangladesh to resist any efforts to erase her contributions to the nation, which she believes are rooted in the country’s 1971 Liberation War. The attack on her father’s residence and the ongoing political strife signal a deepening crisis that continues to shape Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape.
