Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has condemned the state of her homeland, calling it a “land of terrorists and fighters” after a mob demolished the historic residence of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding leader. In an emotional and defiant online speech, Hasina lashed out at the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, accusing it of leading the country into chaos and violence. The speech was streamed on the Awami League’s official web platforms and marked a significant turning point in her six-month exile in India, following her government’s fall on August 5, 2024.
The destruction of the 32 Dhanmondi residence, where Hasina had spent much of her childhood, took place on February 6. The historic building was demolished by a bulldozer rally, which has become a symbol of the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh. Videos from the site showed participants waving Islamist flags from the upper floors of the residence before it was torn down. In response, Hasina expressed her outrage, stating that while the physical structure could be destroyed, “History takes its revenge.” She insisted that the history of her family and the country could not be erased by such acts of violence.
In her speech, Hasina described the situation in Bangladesh as a “game of destruction” and lamented the country’s descent into turmoil. She declared that Bangladesh, once seen as a role model of development, had now become a place where terrorism and violence were rampant. The former Prime Minister further criticized Yunus’s government, calling it “completely unconstitutional” and accused him of using financial power and violence to secure his position. She claimed that there had been a well-planned conspiracy orchestrated by Yunus to “kill me and my sister.”
Hasina’s emotional speech was a direct attack on the government, which she has blamed for fostering an environment of political instability. The Awami League, the party she leads, issued a statement accusing the interim government of enabling the destruction of the residence and providing “immunity” to those responsible. They also warned that “Dr. Yunus and the entire interim government cannot escape liability for last night’s destructive acts.”
This incident comes amid growing tension between student protesters, backed by the army-supported interim government, and Hasina’s Awami League party. Since the fall of her government in August, protests and clashes have become more frequent, and videos showing students waving Islamist flags during the demolition only heightened fears of escalating violence.
Hasina, in her speech, made it clear that despite the destruction, Bangladesh would eventually rise again. She pointed to her survival of multiple assassination attempts in the past, stating that “there must be a reason for which I survived, and my life was spared so that I can complete some special assignment.” She further declared that the spirit of Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war would return and that the blood of martyrs would never be wasted.
Political analysts are calling this speech a “crucial moment” in Hasina’s opposition to the interim government, as she directly targeted Yunus and his supporters, describing them as “terrorists and fighters.” This is seen as a clear signal that she is preparing for a more aggressive campaign to reclaim power and push back against the current administration.
The Bangladesh interim government has called for Hasina’s extradition from India, but New Delhi has not yet responded. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has remained silent on the matter of the demolition, despite the growing international attention to the crisis. The developments in Bangladesh continue to unfold as tensions remain high, and the political future of the country remains uncertain.
