Bangladeshi Protesters Bring Down Autocratic Leader’s Father’s Home
Background
Bangladesh’s first president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is widely viewed as an independence hero. However, his relation to the current leader, Sheikh Hasina, has turned him into a symbol of hate for many.
Protest and Demolition
On Wednesday, protesters, armed with hammers, stormed the former home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which has been turned into a museum, in an attempt to flatten the building. The house had already been badly damaged during the student-led revolution last year that ended Hasina’s 15 years of autocratic rule. The protest was triggered in response to reports that Hasina, who has defied an arrest warrant to face trial for massacres, would appear in a Facebook broadcast from exile.
Call to Action
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the home after a call by Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, the protest group credited with sparking the uprising against Hasina. Abdullah posted on his Facebook page that the "Holy Land of Fascism" should be freed. Student Mahmudur Rahman, 18, said he joined because he believed it was justified to uproot the "symbol of fascism".
Reasons for Demolition
Mohammad Arefin, 25, said there was no reason for the house to remain standing. "It was a museum, and the government was its custodian," he said. "Since we, the students, have formed the government through revolution, we find it legitimate to demolish it."
Condemnation and Uncertainty
Talebur Rahman, spokesman for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said he was unaware of any government order to demolish the house. Student Torikul Islam, 24, said the crowds had not been stopped by the security forces. "I haven’t encountered any objections from the police", he said. "The army is patrolling and talking to us".
Conclusion
The demolition of the former home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marks a significant escalation in the protests against the government of Sheikh Hasina. The move is seen as a symbol of the country’s desire for change and a rejection of the autocratic rule that has plagued Bangladesh for so long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being demolished?
A: The home is being demolished as a symbol of the country’s rejection of the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina and his relation to her.
Q: Why are students leading the protests?
A: Students are leading the protests as they are the ones who sparked the uprising against Hasina’s government last year.
Q: Is the government supporting the demolition?
A: The government’s stance on the demolition is unclear, with the police saying they are unaware of any government order to demolish the house.