Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the attack on her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence in Dhaka, asserting that while a building can be destroyed, history cannot be erased.

Hasina, who has been living in India since August 2024 after her Awami League government was overthrown by a massive student-led uprising, made these remarks in a virtual address posted on her party’s social media platforms.

Attack on Historic Residence Sparks Outrage

A large mob stormed and torched the 32 Dhanmondi residence on Wednesday night following Hasina’s call for Awami League supporters to protest against the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The residence, a crucial site in Bangladesh’s independence movement, was where Mujibur Rahman orchestrated his fight for autonomy. Under Hasina’s leadership, it had been converted into a museum frequently visited by foreign dignitaries.

Expressing anguish over the attack, Hasina questioned its intent. "Why fear a house? I seek justice from the people of Bangladesh. Have I not served my country? Why such disrespect?" she asked emotionally. Referring to the home as the last tangible link to her father, she said, "A structure can be erased, but history cannot be wiped out."

She also issued a stern warning: "They must remember—history takes its revenge."

Claims of Assassination Attempts and Political Conspiracy

During her speech, Hasina reflected on past assassination attempts and suggested that divine intervention had spared her life for a purpose. "If Allah has kept me alive through all these attacks, then there must be work left for me," she said.

She directly accused the interim government, claiming that the latest movement was orchestrated to eliminate her and her family. "This was a carefully planned conspiracy by Muhammad Yunus to kill me and my sister," she alleged.

Criticizing Yunus further, Hasina claimed that she had allocated 400 crore Bangladeshi taka in funding for his Grameen Bank projects, but the funds were allegedly laundered. "One man’s personal ambitions have brought suffering upon Bangladesh," she stated.

Calls for Students to Step Back from Protests

Hasina urged students to distance themselves from ongoing protests, warning that many had been misled by political forces. "At this age, it is easy to be manipulated," she cautioned.

She suggested that the genuine student community was not behind the violent incidents that followed the quota movement and issued a stark warning: "Do not let your educational institutions fall into the hands of terrorists."

Concerns Over Governance and Women’s Rights

The former Prime Minister also criticized the interim government’s performance, claiming that disruptions in education had intensified since her ousting. She highlighted that under her administration, students always received textbooks on time, which she alleged was no longer the case.

She also expressed alarm over reported restrictions on women’s participation in sports, calling it a setback for gender equality in Bangladesh.

Condemns Violence Against Police and Awami League Workers

Hasina denounced the violence against law enforcement officers and Awami League supporters following her exile, stating that such incidents were weakening the country's stability and democratic institutions.

With the Awami League working towards a political resurgence, Hasina’s speech underscored her belief that she is the target of a broader conspiracy. She positioned herself as a survivor of multiple assassination attempts and urged Bangladeshis to reject efforts to erase her father’s legacy, which dates back to the 1971 Liberation War.

Meanwhile, the Yunus-led government has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition from India, but New Delhi has continued to extend her visa. She is currently facing multiple court cases in Bangladesh, including charges of crimes against humanity.

With tensions rising, all eyes remain on how the political landscape in Bangladesh unfolds in the coming months.