“I want justice,” was the audio message that went out from Sheikh Hasina, ousted former Bangladesh prime minister, as news reached her of the attack and torching of her father Mujibur Rahman’s home in Dhaka.
“Last time they set this house on fire, now they are smashing it as well. Have I not done anything? Have I not worked for you all? Then why this house from where my father gave a call for freedom, has been ransacked. I want to ask my people, who is behind this?”
Sheikh Hasina’s words reflected the helplessness and sorrow of an exile, unable to return home, and unable to protect the symbols of her father’s legacy.
Wednesday’s attack on the house in Dhanmondi, an upscale area known for its cultural vibrancy and central location, appeared to have been timed with an eye on Hasina’s 9pm online address targeting her followers in Bangladesh.
A Facebook post attributed to Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the agitation against Hasina last August, clearly said “Tonight Bangladesh will be free from the shrine of fascism.”
Reports say a mob armed with clubs, hammers and other tools swarmed over the residence while another group of people brought a crane and an excavator. As onlookers cheered, the mob entered the building, ransacked it and set it on fire. Calls for the execution of Sheikh Hasina were heard.
Nobody tried to stop it. There were no police around, no fire service to put out the flames. It appeared the attack on the residence had the tacit backing of the authorities. The state-run BSS news agency did not report it, other media did.
The attack reflected the deep political divisions in the country since the overthrow of Hasina. While there is no clear time frame for elections, there is talk about not allowing Hasina’s party the Awami League to contest.
Reports say Hasina’s address to her party men was intended to set the stage for rebuilding and reorganising her cadres.
