Thousands of revolutionary students and people on Wednesday night demolished the Dhanmondi 32 residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with a wrecking ball in protest against deposed despot Sheikh Hasina’s planned speech from Delhi.
Hasina, who fled the country six months ago following her resignation as prime minister amid a student-led uprising, announced that she would address the student community, triggering widespread outrage.
The wrecking ball was brought to the site at around 11:00 pm to demolish the building.
As of filing this report, the demolishment spread to at least four districts – Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi and Kushtia.
In Khulna, Sheikh Bari, residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s uncle, was bulldozed. In Rajshahi University the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall was wiped out. In Kushtia, senior Awami League leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif’s house was also bulldozed. In Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur all the establishments named after members of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family were also wiped out.
At around 8:00 pm, protesters launched an attack on Dhanmondi 32, smashing windows, setting multiple floors of the building on fire, and removing furniture.
A few security force members could be seen on the spot. They were trying to persuade the crowd to leave the spot. However, the crowd was paying no heed to their calls.
From the morning, reactions to Hasina’s speech had been spreading on social media, with various student organisations announcing a “March to Dhanmondi-32” programme in protest.
In addition to the march, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement declared a series of events across the country, including screenings of videos, documentaries, and images of the ‘July Mass Uprising’ to counter Hasina’s speech.
The organisation announced through its verified Facebook page that these visuals would be displayed in key public areas of Dhaka, such as street corners and markets, while also urging TV channels to broadcast special bulletins on the subject.
Eyewitnesses reported that by evening, large crowds had gathered in front of Dhanmondi 32, chanting slogans such as “Delhi or Dhaka?” and demanding Hasina’s trial.
As the protests escalated, demonstrators set fire to multiple floors of the building, while others ransacked rooms and removed furniture. The air was filled with cheers and anti-Hasina slogans as thousands encircled the premises.
Despite the heavy presence of the army, police, and joint security forces, no attempts were made to disperse the crowd or prevent the destruction.
Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, took to Facebook to express his outrage, stating, “Allowing Hasina to speak is tantamount to India waging war against the anti-fascist people of Bangladesh. Tonight, Bangladesh will be liberated from the shrine of fascism.”
In a show of defiance, revolutionary students from the 2024 movement announced a “Bulldozer March” towards Dhanmondi 32 at 9:00 pm to symbolise the end of Hasina’s political legacy.
Leaders of the Jatiya Nagorik Commitee and the Anti-Discrimination Movement also engaged in widespread discussions on social media.
Ali Ahsan Junayed, joint convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Commitee, wrote in a post, “Today marks six months since the ‘July Uprising’. On this historic day, the Butcher of Bengal, Hasina, has decided to appear publicly. What a day she has chosen! It is time for us to rise again. Let us eradicate all fascist elements today.”
Dr Mahmudah Mitu, joint member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, posted, “If 32 is not finished today, I’ll personally buy bangles for all of them. Either 36 or 32.”
Another joint member secretary, Rafe Salman Rifat, wrote, “Rename Dhanmondi 32. Call it ‘Fascist Square’ or ‘Fallen Fascist Square’—something that will ensure people remember the dictator with hatred forever.”
Meanwhile, Nusrat Tabassum, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, remarked, “If you’re dealing with 32, make sure to include themausoleum as well! One in six months, another in a year. Open your mouth, face the bulldozer.”
‘Sheikh Bari’ bulldozed in Khulna
Agitated people have bulldozed the house of Sheikh Abu Naser, uncle of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled the country in the face of student uprising, in Khulna.
Sources said people started to vandalise the house around 9pm on Wednesday. Later they started demolishing the house with two bulldozers of the Khulna City Corporation.
At that time, they started chanting various slogans against Sheikh Hasina, Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League. Till filing this report at 11:00 pm, demolition of the house was going on.
The house located in Moylapota area of Khulna city is known as “Sheikh Bari”. Sheikh Hasina’s cousin former lawmaker Sheikh Helal Uddin, Sheikh Sohail Uddin and several other brothers lived in the house.
The politics of Awami League’s southern region was controlled from the house.
Earlier, agitated youths set fire to the house on 4 August last year. No one was at home that day. After the mass uprising and fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on 5 August, the house was further vandalised, burned and looted. After that only the structure of the house remained.
bd-pratidin/GR
