Demonstrations sparked by Hasina's impending social media address from exile lead to vandalism and unrest.
Protesters Ignite Tensions in Bangladesh by Setting Fire to Former PM's Family Home
Protesters Ignite Tensions in Bangladesh by Setting Fire to Former PM's Family Home
Protests erupt across Bangladesh amid growing discontent against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina.
In a dramatic turn of events in Bangladesh, protesters have set fire to the former family residence of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, alongside properties belonging to other members of her Awami League party. This unrest bubbled over following the announcement that Hasina would speak to the nation via social media from India, where she has taken refuge following her ouster last year amid student-led protests.
The 77-year-old Hasina, who dominated Bangladeshi politics for two decades, has faced backlash for her autocratic tenure, characterized by a severe crackdown on dissent. Protesters expressed their frustration Wednesday evening by demolishing the house of Hasina's late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, which had been converted into a museum. Despite his veneration as an independence hero, Hasina's critics have leveraged his legacy against her.
In response to the violence, Hasina condemned the attacks during a Facebook livestream, asserting, "They can demolish a building, but they can't erase history." As the tensions escalate, she awaits the threat of arrest related to her government's violent suppression of protests last summer, which resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Protests continued late into the night, targeting not only Hasina's properties but also those of her allies, with calls circulating online to eliminate what demonstrators are dubbing "pilgrimage sites of fascism." Police reported gatherings of approximately 700 individuals, necessitating a significant law enforcement presence.
Since her removal from power, a caretaker government helmed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has attempted to maintain order, though it grapples with ongoing instability. Demonstrators have persisted in demanding accountability for Hasina's role in the crackdown, while Yunus' administration is faced with an economic crisis that some blame on Hasina, with accusations of financial misconduct tarnishing her reputation further. As the country gears up for potential elections in 2025 or 2026, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty.
The 77-year-old Hasina, who dominated Bangladeshi politics for two decades, has faced backlash for her autocratic tenure, characterized by a severe crackdown on dissent. Protesters expressed their frustration Wednesday evening by demolishing the house of Hasina's late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, which had been converted into a museum. Despite his veneration as an independence hero, Hasina's critics have leveraged his legacy against her.
In response to the violence, Hasina condemned the attacks during a Facebook livestream, asserting, "They can demolish a building, but they can't erase history." As the tensions escalate, she awaits the threat of arrest related to her government's violent suppression of protests last summer, which resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Protests continued late into the night, targeting not only Hasina's properties but also those of her allies, with calls circulating online to eliminate what demonstrators are dubbing "pilgrimage sites of fascism." Police reported gatherings of approximately 700 individuals, necessitating a significant law enforcement presence.
Since her removal from power, a caretaker government helmed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has attempted to maintain order, though it grapples with ongoing instability. Demonstrators have persisted in demanding accountability for Hasina's role in the crackdown, while Yunus' administration is faced with an economic crisis that some blame on Hasina, with accusations of financial misconduct tarnishing her reputation further. As the country gears up for potential elections in 2025 or 2026, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty.
