Shortly after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a virtual speech from India which triggered chaos in Dhaka, the current interim government's adviser Nahid Islam warned India that it would be held responsible if Hasina was allowed to conduct any political activity.
Information and Broadcasting adviser Nahid Islam warned New Delhi on Wednesday against the move. "India gave shelter to Sheikh Hasina and they have some sort of explanation for this. We asked India to return Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh and that is a diplomatic issue. But if Sheikh Hasina tries to do politics from there, if she holds a political meeting in India, then the Indian government will be liable for this," Nahid said.
Nahid's statement comes as angry protesters launched a violent attack on the residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Wednesday evening during Hasina's speech. After Hasina announced that she would give a virtual speech, the protesters warned that they would take out a "bulldozer procession" towards Dhanmondi-32 if Hasina spoke.
Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the anti-discrimination student movement, posted on Facebook, saying: "Tonight, the land of Bangladesh will be freed from fascism." However, they changed the plan to demolish the residence, instead breaking into the residence and vandalising it.
#WATCH | Bangladesh | A mob vandalised Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s memorial and residence at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka, demanding a ban on the Awami League. Reports link the protest to an online speech by former PM Sheikh Hasina. pic.twitter.com/UodpJrDTgT
— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2025
#WATCH | Bangladesh | A mob vandalised Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s memorial and residence at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka, demanding a ban on the Awami League. Reports link the protest to an online speech by former PM Sheikh Hasina. pic.twitter.com/HSoAc8gr8z
— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2025
The protesters called the residence a symbol of authoritarianism and fascism and expressed their intentions to erase any trace of the so-called 'Mujibism' and fascism in the country.
However, Hasina in her speech said "demolishing a building can only destroy a structure but couldn’t erase the history."
She recalled the 1971 attack on the Rahman family residence by the Pakistani troops. Though the Pakistani army looted the house during the 1971 Liberation War, it did not demolish or set it on fire. "Today, this house is being demolished. What crime it had committed? Why they were so afraid of the house? I seek justice from the people of the country. Didn't I do anything for you?" she said.
