History can't be wiped out: Sheikh Hasina after mob sets father's house on fire
Hundreds of protesters set fire to Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house in Dhaka after his daughter and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke online and appealed to Awami League workers to protest against the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
Mujib Memorial in Dhaka : 2017 visited by blogger
The deposed Prime Minister questioned the motive behind the attack on the 32 Dhanmondi residence, a site of historical significance in Bangladesh’s independence struggle.
“Why fear a house? I seek justice from the people of Bangladesh. Have I not done anything for my country? Then why such disrespect? The only memory that both my sister and I have clung to is being wiped out. A structure can be erased, but history cannot be wiped out," she stressed.
"They must also remember that history takes its revenge," she warned.
On Wednesday night, a massive mob vandalised and set fire to Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house in Dhaka after Sheikh Hasina made an online appeal to Awami League workers to protest against the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
The house became an iconic symbol in Bangladesh history as Mujibur largely led the pre-independence autonomy movement for decades from the residence. During Sheikh Hasina's regime, it was turned into a museum which would be visited by heads of state or dignitaries in line with state protocol.
I visited Dhaka in December 2017.
My Late father and another friend of mine had advised me to visit the famous Sheikh Mujib Memorial. The military dictator Major General Ziaur Rahman had assumed power after the 1975 massacre.
Bloodstains on the walls and on the peeling green plaster certainly brought to fore the story of one of the most horrific killings of political stars and the family members in the sub-continent.
A sense of chill ran through our spine as three Indian journalists encountered the 'bullet marks' at the House in Dhanmondi locality of Bangladesh capital.
This is the place where Sheikh Mujibar Rahman, Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, and his 18 family members, including three sons and a young grandson were assassinated in a ruthless exercise by the 'right-wing' military officers -- of course in cold blood.
This house has been a witness to the history of the making of Bangladesh, its struggle, language movement.
A gentleman standing nearby and a staffer at the Memorial spoke softly:
"It was the witness to hours of deliberations among Mujib's close associates. Today, sadly though -- this house has become an enduring symbol of love and admiration people feel for Bangabandhu."
One could not agree more.
This is/was a place where hundreds of Bangladeshis -- young and old -- at one time felt they can renew their commitment to nation building.
Among those killed were Mujib himself, his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, their three sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and minor Sheikh Russel; the newly married brides of Kamal and Jamal -- Sulatana and Rosy and Bangabandhu's brother Sheikh Abu Naser.
In 2015, it was reported that at least seven months before the 'Bangabandhu' was assassinated along with his family members, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official had met him here and warned against the conspirators.
"These are my own children and they will not harm me," Mujib had reportedly told Rameshwar Nath Kao, who met him in December 1974 with the approval of the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Mujib's two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were in West Germany in August 1975 and so they survived.
So much was the 'hatred' and influence of diabolic motivation, that a number of Mujib's household staff and personal aides were also gunned down.
In 2025 -- one can always say - the same 'hate' has many faces !!
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