Sheikh Hasina Calls Father’s House Attack a ‘Targeted Attempt to Erase Legacy’

Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh who is currently staying in New Delhi, has strongly condemned the vandalism and burning of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence, calling it a “barbaric attempt to erase the legacy of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.” The house at Dhanmondi 32, widely regarded as a symbol of the nation’s struggle for independence, was attacked and set ablaze during violent protests on February 5.

Speaking in an emotional interview, Hasina said the assault was not merely an attack on a building but a direct strike at the foundations of Bangladesh’s identity. She argued that those in power are attempting to rewrite history by targeting landmarks linked to the country’s fight for freedom. “The destruction of my father’s residence was a barbaric attempt to erase the legacy of our hard-fought battle for independence. This is an absolute insult to the memories of those who gave their lives for our future,” she said.

Despite the tragedy, Hasina expressed deep faith in the resilience of the Bangladeshi people. According to her, the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—revered as Bangabandhu—cannot be demolished because it does not reside in physical structures alone. “This legacy lies not in places or physical objects, but in the values they embodied: democracy, equality, secularism and economic emancipation. These cannot be extinguished from Bangladesh’s soul,” she said.

The vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 was carried out by a large group of protesters, reportedly mobilised through social media calls for a “bulldozer procession.” The attack followed heightened political tensions and occurred shortly after Hasina addressed her supporters, criticising the administration that replaced her government.

In a heartfelt message shared with her supporters, Hasina questioned the motive behind the repeated attacks on the home where she grew up. “Why do they fear a house? Last time they set it on fire, now they are destroying it. A structure can be erased, but history cannot be wiped out,” she said, sounding visibly emotional.

The house holds deep personal significance for Hasina. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of her family members, was assassinated there during a military coup in 1975. Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana survived only because they were abroad at the time. After returning to Bangladesh in 1981, Hasina preserved the residence and converted it into the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, ensuring that future generations could connect with the history of the independence movement.

The symbolic importance of Dhanmondi 32 has made it a repeated target during political unrest. It was also set ablaze on August 5 last year, the night Hasina’s nearly 16-year rule came to an abrupt end as she secretly left the country with her sister.

Hasina believes the recent attack forms part of a broader attempt to suppress the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. Yet, she remains confident that the people of Bangladesh will protect the values upon which the nation was built.

“The attempt to destroy a house cannot destroy our history,” she said. “The legacy of Bangladesh lives in its people, and no act of violence can erase that.”