Bangladeshi protesters took a bold step on Wednesday by bringing excavators to the former residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina. The demonstrators aimed to flatten the building, which they see as a symbol of fascism.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s first president, is celebrated as an independence hero. However, his association with his daughter, Hasina, has turned him into a figure of resentment for many. The house, already damaged during last year’s student-led revolution, became the focal point of renewed protests.
Six months after Hasina fled to India on August 5, marking the end of her 15-year autocratic rule, protesters stormed the compound in Dhaka. They also demanded a ban on Hasina’s political party, the Awami League. The protests were sparked by reports that Hasina, who faces charges of massacres, would broadcast a message on Facebook from exile.
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, called for the demonstration. He described the site as the “Holy Land of Fascism” and urged its destruction. Hundreds heeded his call, gathering at Rahman’s home to voice their anger.
Mahmudur Rahman, an 18-year-old student, joined the protest, believing it was right to remove what he called a “symbol of fascism.” Mohammad Arefin, 25, argued that the house no longer deserved to stand. “It was a museum, and the government was its custodian,” he said. “Now that we, the students, have formed the government through revolution, we find it legitimate to demolish it.”
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became a national hero after leading Bangladesh to independence from Pakistan in 1971. He was assassinated in 1975. His daughter’s government, however, faced accusations of severe human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances of political opponents.
During the protest, 24-year-old student Torikul Islam noted the absence of resistance from security forces. “I haven’t encountered any objections from the police,” he said. “The army is patrolling and talking to us.”
The demonstration reflects the deep-seated anger among many Bangladeshis, who view the site as a reminder of decades of oppression. The protesters’ actions underscore their determination to erase symbols of what they call fascism and demand accountability for past injustices.
