Destruction of Mujib residence regrettable, should be strongly condemned: India
It also stated that all those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence
The destruction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence in Bangladesh is regrettable, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said today (6 February).
"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," MEA spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.
"This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned," reads the statement.
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It also stated that 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.
Bangladesh interim government has termed the vandalism on the Dhanmondi-32 residence of Sheikh Mujib unintended and unwanted.
However, the government said Sheikh Hasina's provocative statement against the July Uprising while in India had created deep anger in public mind, which was expressed.
"The government hopes that India will not allow its territory to be used for destabilising purposes in Bangladesh and will not allow Sheikh Hasina to speak. The interim government does not want such incidents to happen again in the future," said the statement.
It also stated that the government will examine what legal action can be taken against those involved in provocative activities.
The demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence followed a social media call for a "Bulldozer Procession Towards Dhanmondi 32", triggered by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's scheduled 9pm virtual address to her party's banned student wing, Chhatra League.
Although demonstrators had initially threatened to bulldoze the house at 9pm, they arrived earlier, by 8pm, ahead of Hasina's virtual address, which was broadcast online.
According to the agitators in Dhanmondi, the house, long associated with Mujib and his family, symbolises "authoritarianism and fascism."
Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since her ouster through a mass uprising on 5 August last year.
