New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) India today termed as regrettable the destruction of the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in Dhaka by protesters, and said the house was a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh “against the forces of occupation and oppression”.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
"It is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression, was destroyed on February 5, 2025.
“All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh.
“This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned.”
India had played an active and prominent role in the creation of Bangladesh, erstwhile East Pakistan, in 1971.
The spokesperson’s statement came as more than half of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi’s Road No. 32 was demolished by demonstrators, in a demolition drive dubbed the ‘Bulldozer March’,
Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's residence Sudha Sadan was also set on fire on Dhanmondi Road No. 5.
Outside Dhaka, homes of Hasina's relatives and Awami League leaders, as well as various sculptures, were vandalised in Khulna, Jashore, Kushtia, Barishal, and Sylhet.
The developments came as Bangladesh marked six months since the fall of the Hasina government and she went into exile in India amid mass protests.
India’s condemnation also came as the Bangladesh interim government on Thursday lodged a strong protest against the “false and fabricated statements” made by ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to her supporters, from her place of exile in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a protest note to the Acting High Commissioner of India Pawan Badhe, who was summoned to the ministry a day after Hasina’s audio statement was aired on social media, newagebd reported.
“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,” said a press release issued by the Bangladesh foreign ministry.
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