[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

Some political parties critical of Mujib house demolition

Some political parties were on Thursday critical of the demolition of the Dhanmondi 32 residence of the country’s founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, while some others expressed reservations about commenting on the matter.

www.newagebd.net

Some political parties critical of Mujib house demolition
Moinul Haque and Moloy Saha 07 February, 2025, 00:15

New Age photo

Some political parties were on Thursday critical of the demolition of the Dhanmondi 32 residence of the country’s founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, while some others expressed reservations about commenting on the matter.

In the early hours of Thursday, a large group of people, including students, demolished the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum building at Dhanmondi in the capital Dhaka, after hours of vandalism that began on Wednesday evening at the Mujib’s house.

The agitated people stormed the residence at about 8:00pm on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s vandalism was triggered by an announcement over Sheikh Hasina’s online address to the country’s students from India where she fled to in August 2024 amid a student-led mass uprising against her 15-year authoritarian rule.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Thursday told New Age that the incident at Dhanmondi might pose a challenge to the interim government to achieve its main goal of democratic transition.

He said that Sheikh Hasina’s crime had been globally recognised by her fleeing the country amid a mass uprising.

The BNP leader added that they must not fall into the trap Hasina was hatching through her provocative statements.

Another BNP standing committee member Hafizuddin Ahmed on Thursday said that the incident was ongoing and they had no information about who were responsible.

‘We believe some might attempt to create chaos to undermine democracy and hinder its future, and we will particularly investigate any interference from neighbouring countries,’ he said at a discussion organised by the Shadhinata Forum at the National Press Club in the capital.

Hafizuddin said that the BNP would share its official response regarding the vandalism at house number 32 at Dhanmondi once all necessary information was gathered.

He said that it would be inappropriate to comment without having full details of the incident.

The BNP leader expressed hope that within a short time, the situation would become clearer, revealing who were involved in the incident and who were accountable for it.

Hafizuddin also said that the role of the government in the matter was also unclear.

Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said that the attacks on sites linked to Bangladesh’s history, including the house on the road number 32 at Dhanmondi, would undermine the spirit of the mass uprising and hinder progress towards a democratic and equal society.

‘We have begun a journey towards democracy and freedom from discrimination, guided by the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising. Meanwhile, the fallen dictator and its symbol, Sheikh Hasina, from abroad is engaged in provocative actions that cast doubt on others, including the forces against her,’ he said.

Despite all these, the interim government is responsible for protecting life, properties, and the country’s historical and cultural heritage, Ruhin said.

‘But we were angered to notice that various places related to the history and heritage of our country, including Mujib’s residence, were attacked with public announcements, and bulldozers were used. The government remained completely silent on this matters,’ the CPB leader alleged.

He said that such vandalism was happening in various parts of the country and it might raise question of whether it signalled the rise of new fascism.

‘I hope the government will take actions immediately to stop the culture of fear and prevent these incidents, ensuring that those responsible are identified and brought to book,’ he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami publicity affairs secretary Motiur Rahman Akand said that they were gathering information on the incident at Dhanmondi, and the party’s central committee would discuss it.

After the committee’s decision, Jamaat would make an official statement on the matter, he said.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD president ASM Abdur Rob in a statement said that it was more important to work for introducing inclusive politics in the country now than demolishing the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The house was the centre of initiation of movements of the Liberation War in 1971 and then it was also the centre of introduction of fascist rule by the Awami League, Rob said.

Gonoforum president Mostafa Mohsin Montu said that they did not support any confrontational politics and wanted the establishment of inclusive politics based on the spirit of the Liberation War in 1971.

‘We must implement the spirit of students-people-led mass uprising of July,’ Montu said.

Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary Saiful Huq termed the demolishing the house unnecessary.

The interim government could not avoid responsibility of such irresponsible work, Saiful said.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod central executive committee also condemned the demolition of the house.

Jasod in a statement claimed that the attack at Dhanmondi took place with the support of the government.

The statement added that the house on Road 32 at Dhanmondi was historically significant and should be preserved.​

 

[Saif]

ACC to probe into Hasina’s foreign trips, degrees

The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an inquiry into the allegations of wasting public money by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during her foreign trips and for acquiring ‘fake’ honorary doctorate degrees...

www.newagebd.net

ACC to probe into Hasina’s foreign trips, degrees
Staff Correspondent 07 February, 2025, 00:27

Sheikh Hasina. | File photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an inquiry into the allegations of wasting public money by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during her foreign trips and for acquiring ‘fake’ honorary doctorate degrees during the ousted Awami League regime.

The ACC took the decision on Thursday at a meeting of the commission at its headquarters in the capital’s Segunbagicha, said ACC spokesperson director general (prevention) Md Aktar Hossain.

According to the allegations, Hasina, during her tenure as a prime minister, used state funds to charter flights from Biman Bangladesh Airlines for her foreign trips, each accompanied by a huge number of entourages.

She was reportedly part of numerous high-profile delegations, including annual United Nations sessions in New York, which she attended as the head of the government for 16 consecutive years, said the allegations.

It also stated that, in 2015, she led a 227-member delegation to the 70th General Assembly and the UN’s Sustainable Development Summit, and, in 2014, she was accompanied by 178 people, and in 2013, a total of 134 people travelled with her.

The allegation further claimed that, during her tenure as a prime minister, Sheikh Hasina used advanced Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft from the state-run airline.

From 2019 to mid-2024, the national carrier reportedly spent around Tk 250 crore to conduct 48 VIP flights for her, and she herself spent an estimated Tk 200 crore during these trips, it said.

One of the examples was her flight on September 18, 2021, when she left for New York on a VIP flight, BG-1902, from Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. It was found that, instead of travelling directly from Dhaka to New York, the flight made a stopover in Finland, where the stopover and the related expenses, including two days of landing charges for her entourage, amounted to around Tk 7 crore.

Till 2023, the government owed Tk 50 core to Biman Bangladesh Airlines for these flights, according to the allegations.

Besides foreign trips, the allegations include Sheikh Hasina’s acquiring several ‘fake’ honorary doctorate degrees from different foreign universities by spending a significant amount of public funds on lobbying.

Among the universities alleged to have conferred these degrees are India’s Tripura University, Belgium’s Catholic University of Brussels, and India’s Visva-Bharati University.​

 

[Saif]

Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 outburst of public rage: govt

The vandalism at Dhanmondi-32 house was the outburst of public agony, caused by Sheikh Hasina’s provocative remarks against the July uprising, the interim government said on Thursday.

www.newagebd.net

Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 outburst of public rage: govt
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 06 February, 2025, 18:38

New Age photo

The vandalism at Dhanmondi-32 house was the outburst of public agony, caused by Sheikh Hasina’s provocative remarks against the July uprising, the interim government said on Thursday.

In a statement, issued by the chief adviser’s press wing, the government said that the incident was unintended and unexpected, while the vandalism at Dhanmondi-32 was the outburst of public anger created due to Sheikh Hasina’s provocative statements against the July uprising from India where she was staying to avoid arrest.

‘In the last six months, there has been no attack or destruction on Dhanmondi-32 house,’ the statement said, adding that the vandalism happened Wednesday night due to two reasons.

Firstly, deposed dictator Sheikh Hasina insulted and undermined the martyrs of the July uprising. By making irrelevant, vulgar and hateful remarks on the deaths of the martyrs, Sheikh Hasina disrespected and disgraced the July uprising.

Secondly, despite fleeing the mass uprising, fugitive Sheikh Hasina was talking in the same tone she used to speak when she was in power by means of corruption, terrorism and inhumane processes. And she was threatening the July mass uprising and everybody who participated in the mass movement against her.

Sheikh Hasina had threatened to create instability in the country, the statement said.

‘Sheikh Hasina continues to strike one after another on the wounds created in the minds of the people due to July massacre. In response to her violent behaviour, the incident of vandalism at Dhanmindi road no-32 has occurred,’ the statement read.

It said that the interim government was on the highest alert to protect the lives and property of the country’s people and the law enforcement agencies were making all-out efforts to bring the situation under control.

‘If Sheikh Hasina, a wanted accused on charges of crimes against humanity, refrains from delivering derogative statements, it will be possible to avoid the occurrence,’ it read.

The government hoped that India would not allow its territory to be used for any act that creates instability in Bangladesh and would not give Sheikh Hasina scope to make statements. ‘The interim government does not want recurrence of such incidents in the future.’

Mentioning that the trial of those involved in the July massacre was continuing in full swing, the statement said that the interim government was committed to ensuring befitting punishment to the perpetrators of the massacre through the trial.

The government will examine what legal steps can be taken against those involved in provocative acts, according to the statement.​

 

[Saif]

Ex-Narail MP’s house set ablaze, AL office vandalised

Witnesses said that the unrest began following a rally held by the BNP and its affiliate organisations around 4:00pm in Kalia Bazar

www.thedailystar.net

Ex-Narail MP’s house set ablaze, AL office vandalised
Violence erupts in Kalia following political rally

Photo: Star

Protesters vandalised an Awami League office and torched a house belonging to former Narail-1 MP BM Kabirul Haque Mukti in Narail's Kalia upazila yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses said that the unrest began following a rally held by the BNP and its affiliate organisations around 4:00pm in Kalia Bazar.

Around 5:30pm, a group of protesters targeted the AL office, breaking in and setting it on fire.

Later, protesters set Mukti's house near Kalia Dakbungalow on fire.

SM Wahiduzzaman Milu, general secretary of Kalia upazila BNP, denied the allegations, saying, "Our programme was ongoing when we noticed flames rising from the Awami League office's direction.

"Law enforcement swiftly intervened and dispersed the crowd. We used megaphones to urge people to remain calm. We have no knowledge of who was responsible, but BNP had no connection to this incident."

Kalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Islam confirmed the attacks, stating that the fire was extinguished and the situation was now under control.​

 

[Saif]

Vandalism, arson on AL leaders’ houses continue

The vandalism of and arson attacks on the Awami League leaders’ homes and party offices by agitating students and people continued for the third consecutive day on Friday.

www.newagebd.net

Vandalism, arson on AL leaders’ houses continue
Staff Correspondent 08 February, 2025, 00:42

Clockwise – An abandoned part of the Mujibnagar Memorial Complex in Meherpur after agitated people raze a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7 speech, the front part of the demolished house of former Rajshahi city mayor and Awami League presidium member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, people gather as angry mob sets fire to the house of former president Md Abdul Hamid in Kishoreganj, passers-by watch the demolished Bogura district AL office in Bogura city on Thursday night. | Focus Bangla/Star Mail photo

The vandalism of and arson attacks on the Awami League leaders’ homes and party offices by agitating students and people continued for the third consecutive day on Friday.

They also continued to vandalise murals and portraits of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the day.

Between Thursday evening and Friday evening, AL presidium member Sheikh Selim’s house was set on fire in the capital’s Banani at 1:30am on Friday, party presidium member and former Rajshahi city mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton’s front part of the house was demolished at about 11:00pm on Thursday, former minister SM Rezaul Karim’s house was set on fire in Pirojpur’s Nazirpur upazila at about 8:30pm on Thursday, former state minister for information and lawmaker for Jamalpur-4 constituency Murad Hasan’s house at Sorishabari upazila in Jamalpur was set on fire after vandalism on Thursday night, according to reports received from districts.

On Thursday at about 10:30pm, protesters vandalised and looted a warehouse situated on the Hasina family’s ancestral seat in Dighalia upazila of Khulna.

The agitators vandalised murals and portraits of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter now ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of the Awami League.

The fresh spate of such attacks began on Wednesday evening when agitators launched an attack on the Sheikh Mujib’s Dhanmondi Road 32 house, already broken in a violent attack on August 5, just after the fall of the Awami League regime amid a student-mass uprising leading to then prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and fleeing to India.

In the fresh attack, the agitators vandalised the remnants of the house, which was Bangabandhu Memorial Museum until the fall of the AL regime, set it on fire and bulldozed it, razing it to the ground.

The members of law enforcement and security agencies were largely inactive when house’s demolition was going on as well as in other attacks launched on the homes of Awami League leaders in different parts of the country, including Dhaka city.

The countrywide anarchy began with the ‘Bulldozer 32’ programme announced on social media by several quarters and top leadership of the Student Against Discrimination on Wednesday evening centring the ousted prime minister’s address to the student community at 9:00pm on the day.

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday called for peace and order, saying that no further attacks on any citizens on any pretexts must not happen.

Yunus’s call came in a statement shared by the chief adviser’s press wing in the afternoon.

At Dhanmondi 32 on Friday afternoon, a large number of people thronged to watch the remnant of the demolished historic building on the weekend.

Many people were seen collecting building materials from the debris and also breaking the parts of the remaining structure of the house to take iron rods, wood etc.

Mohamamd Taleb, a carpenter, living in the capital’s Asadgate area said that he came to see the demolished historic building.

‘Allah brought Sheikh Hasina down from power for her immense torture on people,’ Taleb said.

On Wednesday, over a thousand agitators stormed the museum premises at about 8:00pm after Student Against Discrimination convener Hasnat Abdullah announced on his verified Facebook page that Bangladesh would be freed of the bastions of fascism that night.

Awami League presidium member Sheikh Selim’s house in the capital’s Banani was set on fire at about 1:30am on Friday with the Fire Service and Civil Defence duty officer claiming that they did not reach the spot over security concern stemming from the agitating people’s activities.

Local people later brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to other houses.

Sheikh Selim, also a former AL lawmaker for Gopalganj-2 constituency, is a first cousin of Sheikh Hasina.

An agitated mob set fire to the village home of former chief of army staff Moeen U Ahmed at about 9:00pm on Thursday at Alipur village of Chaumuhani municipality in Noakhali.

Also on Thursday evening, an angry mob set the house of former minister SM Rezaul Karim on fire in Pirojpur’s Nazirpur upazila, United News of Bangladesh reported.

Protesters demolished Bogura district unit offices of Awami League and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod after vandalism an arson attacks on them at about 8:00pm on Thursday, UNB reported quoting witnesses.​