Protests in Bangladesh resulted in the burning of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's family home, following her address from exile. The violence stems from long-standing grievances against Hasina's rule, with demonstrators demanding accountability for past actions and calling for political reform.
Protests Erupt in Bangladesh as Former Prime Minister's Family Home is Set Ablaze
Protests Erupt in Bangladesh as Former Prime Minister's Family Home is Set Ablaze
Anger towards former PM Sheikh Hasina ignites violence as protesters target her family's properties amid ongoing political unrest.
Protests erupted in Bangladesh on Wednesday evening when demonstrators vandalized and set fire to the family home of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, alongside properties belonging to other senior members of her party. The unrest was provoked by Hasina's planned address via social media from her current location in India, where she has been in exile since being ousted last year amid intense student-led protests.
Sheikh Hasina, who led Bangladesh for 20 years, has increasingly been viewed by critics as an autocrat, accused of stifling dissent, rigging elections, and fostering widespread corruption. The destructive actions of the protesters included the demolition of her father's house, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a revered figure for his role as the founding president of Bangladesh. Rahman's legacy is now tarnished among those harboring anger towards his daughter's administration.
In response to the devastation, Hasina condemned the protests through a Facebook livestream, asserting that “they can demolish a building, but they can't erase history,” while calling for justice. Protests have also spread to other senior leaders of the Awami League, Hasina's party, as social media channels inflame demands to eliminate what many refer to as "pilgrimage sites of fascism."
According to reports, approximately 700 protesters gathered outside Hasina's residence, prompting the deployment of police to manage the situation. Thousands have taken to the streets in recent months, urging that Hasina be held accountable for the violent repression of protests last year, which resulted in many casualties.
Post-Hasina, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed leadership. However, it faces several challenges, including a persistent economic crisis and the task of seeking Hasina's extradition from India. The Yunus government is under pressure, with accusations against Hasina alleging that she inflated the nation's economic growth figures and misappropriated billions during her tenure. Yunus has signaled intentions to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026, as the country grapples with ongoing political and social unrest.
