New Delhi: In a powerful and emotional speech delivered online from New Delhi, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared that Bangladesh has become a “land of terrorists and fighters.” The nearly hour-long address, streamed live on the Awami League’s official platforms, came in the wake of a mob-led demolition of the historic 32 Dhanmondi residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and Hasina’s father.
The incident occurred early on Thursday, February 6, 2025, when a group of protesters, in what was described as a “bulldozer rally,” razed the iconic property despite a visible police presence. Videos captured from the scene showed Islamist flags being waved from the upper floors of the building moments before it was torn down.
Speaking from exile in India, Hasina condemned the destruction of her childhood home and vowed that the people of Bangladesh would seek justice. “They can break a house, but we can rebuild that house. Bangladesh will rise again,” she said, her voice charged with emotion.
She added that she had survived numerous assassination attempts in the past and believed she had a “special assignment” to accomplish in the coming days. “The Almighty has saved me repeatedly from danger. There must be a reason for this, and I am sure it is because I have to complete important work for my country,” she stated.
Hasina directly blamed the interim government, led by Mohammad Yunus, for the demolition, calling his administration “completely unconstitutional.” She alleged that Yunus came to power through “money power” and at the cost of innocent lives.
“The government of Mohammad Yunus is illegitimate. He has ascended to power by stepping over the dead bodies of our people,” she claimed. Hasina further accused Yunus of orchestrating a plot to assassinate her and her sister, stating that there had been “meticulous planning” involved in the attempts on their lives.
The Awami League issued a statement accusing the interim government of providing “immunity” to those responsible for the attack. “Dr. Yunus and the entire interim government cannot escape liability for last night’s destructive acts,” the statement read.
The 32 Dhanmondi residence holds immense significance in Bangladesh’s history, as it was the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman until his assassination on August 15, 1975. The building symbolized the birth of Bangladesh’s independence movement and had been preserved as a monument to the nation’s liberation struggle.
Hasina emotionally recalled her father’s assassination during her speech, stating, “The conspiracy that was made in August has now turned Bangladesh into a victim. The house was burnt in August, and now they are breaking it down.”
Hasina’s government fell on August 5, 2024, amid the “student-people uprising” that demanded an end to the unpopular quota system in education and employment. Since then, Hasina has been in exile in India, marking a significant departure from her long tenure in Bangladeshi politics.
In her speech, Hasina called upon the student wing of the Awami League to unite and uphold the spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation. “Bangladesh will stage a comeback. The blood of martyrs is never wasted,” she said, emphasizing the need to reclaim the values of the liberation struggle.
The interim Bangladeshi government had previously requested India to prevent Hasina from making public statements, labeling her remarks as interference in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs. However, Hasina’s latest address marked a bold stance against both the interim administration and the student-coordinators, whom she described as “terrorists and fighters.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has yet to comment on the demolition of 32 Dhanmondi or Hasina’s ongoing exile. The situation has raised concerns about political stability and the future of democracy in Bangladesh.
As tensions rise, Hasina’s speech is being seen as a turning point in the ongoing political crisis, with potential implications for both domestic governance and regional diplomacy.
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