📌 Dhanmondi-32 in Flames: Six months after the ousting and exile of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, protesters set the area ablaze. On February 5, 2025, thousands of demonstrators stormed the Bangabandhu Museum, vandalizing and burning the historic site. The attack marks a new wave of unrest in Bangladesh as the country grapples with political transition and demands for justice.
February 5, 2025: Dhanmondi-32 Burns as Protests Reignite
On the evening of February 5, 2025, mass protests erupted at Dhanmondi-32 of Dhaka, with thousands of demonstrators—mostly students and opposition activists—storming the Bangabandhu Museum. The site, once the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a stronghold of the Awami League’s legacy, became a symbol of resistance after the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
🔥 Protesters broke through security barriers and stormed the building.
🔥 Parts of the museum were set on fire, destroying historical artifacts.
🔥 Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding justice for past human rights violations.
The event comes exactly six months after Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following weeks of student-led protests and opposition movements against her government.
August 5, 2024: Sheikh Hasina’s Fall and Exile
On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh, marking the end of her 15-year rule. She was airlifted from her Ganabhaban residence by military helicopter, later reaching India, where she and her family were granted political asylum.
🔹 Her resignation followed months of mass protests sparked by allegations of election rigging, corruption, and human rights abuses.
🔹 Over 650 students were killed in the July 2024 massacre, fueling the anti-Hasina movement.
🔹 General Waker-Uz-Zaman took control, forming an interim government to restore order.
Since her exile in India, opposition leaders and activists have demanded her extradition to stand trial for alleged crimes against democracy and human rights.
Why Did Protesters Target Dhanmondi-32 on February 5, 2025?
The burning of Dhanmondi-32 of Dhaka on February 5, 2025, is being seen as a symbolic act of dismantling the past regime.
🔹 Dhanmondi-32 was central to Sheikh Hasina’s rule, often used as a political stronghold and a place for government-led historical narratives.
🔹 Protesters see the site as a representation of authoritarianism, linking it to 15 years of political repression under Hasina’s leadership.
🔹 Calls for justice remain unaddressed, with many demanding legal action against former Awami League officials.
Activists, including student leader Hasnat Abdullah, had previously hinted at major demonstrations on this day, declaring that “Bangladesh must be freed from the symbols of dictatorship.”
Where Is Sheikh Hasina Now?
Shortly after fleeing, reports from Reuters and The Hindu confirmed that Hasina had arrived in India, where she and her family were granted shelter.
🔹 India has long been accused of backing Hasina’s rule, providing diplomatic and intelligence support.
🔹 Critics argue that India’s protection of Hasina raises questions about regional political interference.
🔹 Protesters in Bangladesh have demanded that India stop meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
India’s Role Under Scrutiny
With Hasina now in exile, international observers are questioning:
🔹 Will India be held accountable for protecting an ousted leader?
🔹 Will Bangladesh demand her extradition to face trial?
🔹 What role will India play in Bangladesh’s future political transition?
Will This Trigger Another Wave of Unrest in Bangladesh?
With tensions running high, analysts are debating whether the combination of Hasina’s speech and the burning of Dhanmondi-32 could trigger another round of protests.
🔹 Pro-Hasina supporters argue that her speech proves she still has political influence.
🔹 Opposition groups see it as an attempt to regain power from exile.
🔹 The destruction of Dhanmondi-32 has further deepened political divisions in Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh moves through 2025, the next few months will determine whether the country heads toward peace, more unrest, or another major political shift.