Protests Erupt in Bangladesh as Former PM's Home is Set Ablaze

Shahid Hasina's family's legacy is tarnished as protests against her rule lead to violent demonstrations, including the destruction of cultural sites, all while a caretaker government struggles with ongoing unrest and economic challenges.

Protests in Bangladesh escalated dramatically Wednesday evening, culminating in the burning of the family home of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with properties linked to her political allies. The catalyst for the unrest was news of Hasina's planned address to the nation from India. She has been in exile since she was ousted amid student-led protests last year.

The 77-year-old politician, who dominated Bangladeshi politics for two decades, is widely regarded as an autocrat due to her administration's harsh suppression of dissent. The protests reached a fever pitch when an excavator destroyed the home of her late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding president, which had been converted into a museum honoring his legacy.

While Rahman is celebrated as a national hero, his daughter’s controversial actions have cast a shadow over his memory. In a Facebook livestream, Hasina condemned the violence, stating, "They can demolish a building, but they can't erase history," indicating her determination to maintain her narrative despite the chaos.

Once seen as a champion of democracy, Hasina's reputation has drastically deteriorated due to allegations of election rigging, imprisoning opponents, and overseeing a corrupt government. With multiple arrest warrants issued against her for her administration's violent responses to dissent, she fled to India last August, yet public anger has not subsided.

On the same night, crowds of around 700 protesters targeted the homes and businesses of senior leaders within Hasina's Awami League party, driven by social media campaigns urging an end to "pilgrimage sites of fascism." Authorities reported deployments of dozens of police to manage the volatile situation.

In the aftermath of Hasina’s removal, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is attempting to stabilize the country, facing ongoing protests over the former leader’s legacy of violence against dissenters. Yunus is also contending with a looming economic crisis, attributing the fabricated growth figures to Hasina’s regime, which he alleges laundered substantial amounts of money.

Yunus has announced plans for elections slated for late 2025 or early 2026, but the desire for accountability regarding Hasina's rule looms large amidst a backdrop of political upheaval and unrest in the nation.