Some political parties were on Thursday critical of the demolition of the Dhanmondi 32 residence of the country鈥檚 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鈥檚 house.
The agitated people stormed the residence at about 8:00pm on Wednesday.
Wednesday鈥檚 vandalism was triggered by an announcement over Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 online address to the country鈥檚 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 抖阴精品 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鈥檚 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.
鈥榃e believe some might attempt to create chaos to undermine democracy and hinder its future, and we will particularly investigate any interference from neighbouring countries,鈥� 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鈥檚 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.
鈥榃e 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,鈥� he said.
Despite all these, the interim government is responsible for protecting life, properties, and the country鈥檚 historical and cultural heritage, Ruhin said.
鈥楤ut we were angered to notice that various places related to the history and heritage of our country, including Mujib鈥檚 residence, were attacked with public announcements, and bulldozers were used. The government remained completely silent on this matters,鈥� 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.
鈥業 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,鈥� 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鈥檚 central committee would discuss it.
After the committee鈥檚 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.
鈥榃e must implement the spirit of students-people-led mass uprising of July,鈥� 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.
