India expressed its deep anguish on Thursday over the vandalism of the residence of Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and strongly condemned the “act of vandalism.”
In response to media queries regarding the attack on Rahman’s residence, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “It is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression, was destroyed on February 5, 2025.”
Jaiswal further emphasized the importance of the residence, noting, “All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh. This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned.”
The MEA expressed deep concern over the attack, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the residence. India called for the perpetrators to be held accountable, underscoring the need to maintain peace and stability in the region.
On Wednesday, a mob vandalized the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. Visuals from the scene showed flames rising from one of the floors of the house. The protesters, reportedly demanding a ban on the Awami League, stormed the premises after breaking open the gate, causing widespread destruction.
Local media linked the protest to an online speech made by Bangladesh’s current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Social media posts had earlier called for a “Bulldozer Procession” towards the residence at Dhanmondi-32 if Sheikh Hasina delivered the speech.
By 10:45 p.m. local time, an excavator was brought to demolish the house. Protesters, who had arrived around 8 p.m., forced their way in by breaking the main gate. They then proceeded to vandalize the property, with reports stating that many protesters climbed to the second floor using hammers, crowbars, and wooden planks to destroy portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and damage sections of the historic house.
On Thursday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong protest with the Indian government, condemning the “false and fabricated” comments and statements being made on various platforms, including social media, by the country’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh government expressed its concern, disappointment, and serious reservations regarding these statements, which it claimed were aimed at instigating instability.
In a protest note handed to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry stated that these statements were hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh. The ministry also emphasized that such actions by Sheikh Hasina were considered hostile towards Bangladesh and were detrimental to the efforts to establish a healthy relationship between the two countries.
-IANS
