In a striking visual protest, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists and supporters expressed their views on Sheikh Hasina by placing her in a symbolic cage during a party rally in Dhaka on Friday, marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
During the rally, a woman, dressed to resemble Sheikh Hasina, was placed inside a cage. Her appearance included dishevelled hair, dark glasses, a light parrot-green saree, and a white blouse.
Her portrayal also included blood-stained fake teeth and horns made from braided hair, presenting her as a monstrous figure. Artificial human skeletons were attached to the outside of the cage.
Several placards hung from the cage, with slogans such as: “The worst monster in the history of Bangladesh”, “I fled, abandoning all party leaders and workers”, “I make innocent people victims of enforced disappearances”, “I join hands with India’s Modi to destroy the country”, “I shoot from helicopters and kill children and women”, “I am the biggest corrupt person in the world”, “I lie every morning and evening”, and “I am the killer of innocent students”.
Additionally, the symbolic figure sought forgiveness from the crowd. Many BNP activists posed for selfies with the toppled figure to share the images on social media platforms.
Hundreds of lives were taken by law enforcement officials and Sheikh Hasina’s party members under her directives during the recent Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that later altered into a mass upsurge, making it the bloodiest episode in the country’s history since the War of Independence in 1971.
Her actions have led many to view her as a bloodthirsty demon, particularly the individuals and families who suffered during the brutal massacres of late July and early August this year. The mass upsurge later transformed into protests calling for the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.
Deep anger and resentment toward Sheikh Hasina rumbled beneath the surface for many, but they had been left voiceless before the fallen dictator fled the country on August 5, following a month-long, student-led uprising.
Since then, multiple cases have been filed against the deposed autocrat. Yet, there are no signs of her return. Moreover, her audio recordings have been leaked in which she allegedly instructed her party leaders to incite violence and destabilise the country.
The rally commenced from BNP’s Nayapaltan office and concluded at Manik Mia Avenue. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman inaugurated the rally virtually from London.
In this regard, Nafiul Islam, a BNP activist from the Sutrapur unit, remarked, “We are mocking symbolic Sheikh Hasina, but it carries a deeper meaning. The people of Bangladesh view her as a demon and want to see her imprisoned like this.”
However, the highlight of the rally was a dramatic portrayal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a caged "monster" figure, drawing crowds and selfies from the participants.
Bd-pratidin English/ Fariha Nowshin Chinika
