In a dramatic escalation of political unrest, protesters in Dhaka on Wednesday set fire to and demolished the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding father, in an act that signals a profound shift in the country’s volatile political landscape.
The attack targeted Dhanmondi 32, the residence where Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and where he, along with most of his family, was assassinated by the military in 1975. The site, preserved as the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, has long been a symbol of the Awami League’s political legacy and a focal point of state-sponsored remembrance.
The assault followed an online address by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rahman’s daughter, who has been in exile in India since resigning in August 2024 under pressure from mass protests. In her speech, she denounced the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, calling it “illegitimate” and urging her supporters to “resist the unconstitutional takeover.”
Her remarks spurred thousands of demonstrators to converge on Dhanmondi 32, where bulldozers and sledgehammer-wielding protesters tore down what remained of the residence after it was set ablaze. Witnesses described the crowd chanting anti-dynastic slogans and tearing down portraits of Rahman, a striking reversal in a nation where his image has long been sacrosanct.
Symbolic Rejection
The destruction of Rahman’s home underscores a deepening disillusionment with dynastic rule in Bangladesh, where the Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have dominated politics for decades. Critics say these political families have fostered corruption, cronyism, and economic stagnation while stifling democratic institutions.
An editorial in The Daily Star framed the event as “not merely an act of vandalism but a symbolic rupture from a past that has been idealized to the detriment of our democratic evolution.” The editorial reflects a broader trend across South Asia, where voters are showing increased resistance to hereditary politics.
In neighboring Pakistan, the Bhuttos and Sharifs remain entrenched in politics. In Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksa dynasty is struggling to regain public trust after its role in the country’s economic collapse. Analysts say the fall of Rahman’s physical legacy is a warning to South Asia’s ruling families: nostalgia does not necessarily translate into enduring legitimacy for political dynasties.
Regional Implications
Hasina’s exile in India adds another dimension to the crisis. New Delhi has historically backed the Awami League, viewing Hasina as a stable ally in the region. But with her departure from Dhaka and repudiation of her storied family’s legacy, the interim government has moved closer to Pakistan and China, signaling a realignment in South Asian alliances.
“This shift may prompt India to reassess its foreign policy in the region, especially given Bangladesh’s pivotal role in South Asian geopolitics,” says Pakistani political analyst and historian Ayesha Jalal.
Meanwhile, Dhaka officials implicitly blamed Hasina for inciting the mob, later adding: “What happened at Dhanmondi 32 was an act of cultural and national desecration. Those who provoked this destruction must be held accountable.” Authorities say they have arrested several individuals involved in the attack and are investigating the organizers behind the demonstration.
In an audio statement from India, Hasina, voice breaking, expressed sorrow and outrage over the destruction of her family home, calling it a “cowardly act” and warning that “history cannot be erased by fire and wrecking balls.” She also accused the interim government of failing to protect national heritage sites, further deepening the political divide.
Crossroads
The destruction of Dhanmondi 32 comes months after protesters defaced and tore down statues of Rahman, marking a sharp departure from the state-sponsored reverence that defined Bangladesh’s post-independence era.
As the dust settles, analysts say the country is entering uncharted political territory, with mass dissatisfaction and a shifting regional balance of power reshaping its future.
As The Daily Star editorial warned: “If those in power—past, present, or future—fail to heed the message behind the bulldozers at Dhanmondi 32, they risk being buried under the weight of their own detachment from the people.”