Bangladesh Erupts After Hasina’s Death Sentence, Mob Targets Bangabandhu’s Home

Dhaka: There was tension throughout the day on Monday in the Dhanmondi 32 area of ​​Dhaka. A large number of student protesters took to the streets demanding the complete demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house. They say that by removing this place, they want to build a football field here. There were several clashes between protesters and security forces from early morning till late night. As soon as it got dark, some protesters started pelting stones from the streets, which worsened the atmosphere.

What was Monday's decision related to Sheikh Hasina?

On the same day, a Bangladesh court sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. The court held her responsible for the violence during the students' agitation last year. The verdict said that hundreds of people died due to the government's action, and Hasina had the biggest role in ordering it. As soon as this decision came, protests intensified in many places.

Why does the mob want to demolish Mujibur Rahman's house?

The protesters argue that this building has now become a “symbol of power,” and it is necessary to remove it. Two digging machines were being taken towards the house, but the police stopped them. After this the crowd became more aggressive. The police had to resort to lathi charges and sound grenades to control the crowd. Many people were injured, including security personnel.

Why is this house so important in the history of Bangladesh?

This is the same house where Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in a military coup in 1975. Many members of his family were also killed in the same incident. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government last year, a large part of this house was already demolished, and the remaining part was converted into a museum. Because of this, this place always remains the center of political tension.

How was the condition of the city on Monday?

As the day progressed, the area around Dhanmondi and Mirpur Road came to a complete standstill. Roads were closed, shops were closed, and apart from the army, the Rapid Action Battalion and heavy police force were deployed. In the afternoon the crowd became so large that the security forces retreated for some time, but soon they resumed action. With the help of sticks, grenades, and tear gas, they evacuated the area. The officials clearly said that attempts to take the law into their own hands will not be tolerated under any circumstances.