Bangladesh has formally raised a "strong protest" with India over statements made by its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, notably those about the alleged recent damage of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house.
Bangladesh condemned Hasina's latest address as "false and fabricated", and described the former prime minister's comments and activities while in exile in India as a "hostile act". It has demanded that India restrict her from giving any additional speeches, stressing the importance of mutual respect and the two countries' historical ties.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh lodged a strong protest with the Government of India over the false and fabricated comments and statements continuously being made in different platforms including social media, by the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, instigating instability in Bangladesh. Through the protest note, handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Ministry conveyed the deep concern, disappointment and serious reservation of the Government of Bangladesh, as such statements are hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh... The Ministry also emphasized that such activities by her, are considered as a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries," the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry stated in a Facebook post.
In a Facebook post, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh says, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh lodged a strong protest with the Government of India over the false and fabricated comments and statements continuously being made in different platforms including… pic.twitter.com/9N5DodrCb3
— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2025
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned India's acting high commissioner to Dhaka. Bangladesh's foreign adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, stated that the country had formally requested India in writing to prevent Sheikh Hasina from making such statements and sentiments, which are detrimental to Bangladeshi interests.
He further stated, "We have not got any response in this regard. Due to recent developments, Bangladesh has once again sent a protest note to India. Indian acting high commissioner was summoned and handed over the protest letter so that she (Sheikh Hasina) is prevented."
'Remember history takes its revenge': Hasina
Hasina gave the address on Wednesday night, after protesters vandalised and set fire to her father, Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,'s home in Dhaka. Vandalism targeting Awami League politicians occurred in a number of other locations as well.
During her speech, Hasina urged residents to rally against the current regime.
Speaking with clear passion, Hasina stated that while Pakistani forces plundered the house during the 1971 Liberation War, they did not demolish or burn it.
"Today, this house is being demolished. What crime had it committed? Why were they so afraid of the house... I seek justice from the people of the country. Didn't I do anything for you?" she said.
"They can demolish a building, but not the history... but they must also remember that history takes its revenge," Hasina said.
"They are yet to have the strength to destroy the national flag, the constitution and the independence that we earned at the cost of lives of millions of martyrs with a bulldozer," she remarked, appearing to refer to the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.
Demonstrators burn Sheikh Mujib's house
Demonstrators gathered near Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 32 Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka in response to social media requests for a "bulldozer procession". The crowd then ignited the structure.
The next edifice, which housed offices for numerous Awami League institutions, was also demolished. Protesters vandalised murals depicting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The latest spell of attack to demolish Dhanmondi 32 residence and bringing of crane is an affront to national identity and a bid to erase collective history centering the liberation war that saw Pakistan forces and their local collaborators Jamaat e Islami defeated despite… pic.twitter.com/CJoExyMbY7
— Awami League (@albd1971) February 6, 2025
Demonstrators also set fire to 'Sudha Sadan' on Road 5 in Dhanmondi, the home of Hasina's late husband, Wajed Mian.
Protesters also burned the homes of her cousins, Sheikhs Helal Uddin and Salauddin Jewel, in Khulna City.
Students protested by removing the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Dhaka University's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Hasina, 77, has been in India since August 5 of the previous year, fleeing Bangladesh amid a major student-led movement that terminated her Awami League's 16-year rule.
