Demolition of Dhanmondi 32


On 5 February 2025, the former residence of Bangladesh's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi 32, was occupied and demolished by a large group of activists of the Inqilab Moncho and other allied right-wing organisations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The building, which housed Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and was considered a historic site, was torn down organising a rally during a period of intense political turmoil, which took place in the following months after the resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The demolition followed an online press conference attended by Sheikh Hasina self-imposed exile in India, during which she addressed topics that the rally described as "against national interests". This event occurred amid years of growing discontent regarding the political influence of the Sheikh family in the country's political landscape, and the rise of a cult of personality of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The demolition resulted in several months of interpolitical clashes, causing the death of at least 5 people and over 100 injuries.

Background

Dhanmondi 32 was the personal residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding President of Bangladesh. It was also the site where he was assassinated along with most of his family members on the coup of 15 August 1975. In 1994, the residence was converted into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, preserving artifacts and memories. In August 2024, following political upheaval and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the museum was subjected to vandalism and arson attacks during widespread violence. The interior suffered significant damage, and many artifacts were lost.
Despite these events, the structure remained standing until the subsequent demolition in February 2025. In February 2025, online right-wing activist Pinaki Bhattacharya encouraged his followers to demolish the building. Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Students Against Discrimination, warned against Hasina's speech and announced on social media:

Demolition

On the evening of 5 February 2025, a large rally organised by 'Inqilab Moncho' gathered at Dhanmondi 32, responding to calls on social media for a "Bulldozer Procession" aimed at demolishing the site, which they referred to as a "shrine of fascism". The rally escalated quickly, with participants breaking through the entrance and vandalizing the interior, including the destruction of a mural of Sheikh Mujib.
As the situation intensified, a fire broke out on the second floor of the building. Mobs, undeterred by the flames, continued their actions, using tools to demolish parts of the house. Heavy machinery, including an excavator and a crane, was brought in to aid in the demolition.
Despite the presence of security forces, there was little to no intervention during the demolition as the crowd overwhelmed security forces. The event continued into the early hours of the next day, with significant portions of the building being reduced to rubble. The demolition coincided with a speech delivered by Sheikh Hasina from exile in India. In her address, she urged her supporters to oppose the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, labeling it as "unconstitutional". She said in the speech, " may destroy a building, but they won't be able to erase the history". Hasina's speech was perceived by many protesters as a provocation, leading to the escalation that resulted in the demolition of the residence.

Aftermath

On 6 February 2025, as the demolition of Dhanmondi 32 continued, individuals were seen collecting materials such as steel, iron, tin, and wood. The removal of materials took place in an unregulated manner, with no intervention from law enforcement.
The Awami League condemned the demolition, stating that the attack was "an affront to national identity and a bid to erase collective history". Conversely, some opposition leaders and activists viewed the demolition as a symbolic rejection of what they perceived as authoritarianism and political nepotism. Hafizuddin Ahmed of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party reacted to the demolition, calling it "an obstruction to the path of democracy" and also questioned the government's role in it.

Initial assaults and violence

On the same day, two individuals—a man and a woman—were physically assaulted near the demolition site. Witnesses reported that the man was attacked after chanting "Joy Bangla" and expressing support for the Awami League. He was knocked to the ground by a mob before being assisted onto a rickshaw by bystanders. Shortly afterward, a middle-aged woman near the site expressed distress, reportedly saying, "আপার ঘর ভেঙ্গে ফেলছে". This prompted a confrontation with mob, which then assaulted her before bystanders took her to safety.
On 12 February 2025, the house of Nuruzzaman Kafi, a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, was burned down which he claimed was a retaliation by individuals aligned with the former ruling party for his involvement in the demolition.

Gopalganj clashes

On July 16, 2025, at least 5 people, including a rickshaw puller, were killed and over a hundred injured in police and army firing during protests against the program of the 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' supported National Citizen Party in Sheikh Mujib's native Gopalganj. Many were arrested later. Inqilab Moncho's co-founder Osman Hadi who also supported the demolition, sharply criticized the situation using profanity and called for the dissolution of Gopalganj District, which generated widespread controversy and debate. Later, amid criticism, he expressed regret.

Disruption of observances

On 15 August 2025, the interim government announced that it would prevent the celebration of the 50th death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to 'avoid further violence'. The area of Dhanmondi-32 and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Tomb was surrounded by police. Several political party activists including the Jamaat Islami's student organization Islami Chhatra Shibir took up positions at 32 Dhanmondi with sticks. People who went to pay their respects were obstructed and attacked. Around 11 am, a rickshaw puller from Jatrabari was attacked when he arrived at 32 Dhanmondi with a bouquet of flowers in his hand driving a rickshaw. The bouquet of flowers was taken from his hand. In addition to being beaten, his rickshaw was also vandalized. The rickshaw puller said, "I bought the bouquet of flowers for four hundred taka. It's my hard-earned money. I've been driving a rickshaw in Dhaka for two years. I came here only because I love Bangabandhu." Later, the police arrested Azizur and was granted bail. An imam, who came with his family from Pirojpur, said he had recited the Quran twice for Bangabandhu and his family but was not allowed to enter.
On the same day, Senior Supreme Court lawyer and human rights advocate ZI Khan Panna claimed in social media that he was being held under house arrest, a revelation which triggered intense discussion across social media and legal circles. Many people including Shakib Al Hasan, Shakib Khan, Sohel Rana, Jaya Ahsan were seen posting on social media paying tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina's trial and unrest

On 13 November 2025, during a lockdown program called by Sheikh Hasina's party to oppose her trial, the police arrested a woman at Dhanmondi 32. She had been attacked by a mob after arriving there. She was later charged with the 'July massacre case' and sent to prison. On the same day, a school boy was also arrested by the police along with some books while collecting brick from the ruins. After 6 hours, he was released to the custody of his family on bond.
On 17 November 2025, the day the verdict of Trial of Sheikh Hasina was delivered, a mob made an attempt at vandalism at the ruins. The mob brought 2 excavators to the location. However, they were not allowed to move them near the building. Army and police personnel blocked the mob, leading to repeated clashes in the area. The mob left the area after 10:00 pm. The excavators brought to the site was removed. Army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed in the area.

Assassination of Inqilab Moncho leader and renewed violence

On 18 December 2025, Osman Hadi, co-founder and the leader of the Inqilab Moncho, died of gunshot wounds reportedly sustained by 'Awami League affiliated' individuals on 12 December 2025. A mob including the Hadi supporters attacked the site for the third time and damaged the remaining debris during political violence erupted following his death.

Reactions

Domestic

  • Government of Bangladesh: The press wing of the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of the interim government issued a statement regarding the demolition stating:
  • 26 eminent citizens expressed concern over the incident of vandalism and violence stating:
  • The Transparency International Bangladesh described the acts of violence as "unusual" and criticised the government for not preventing such incidents. Its executive director, Iftekharuzzaman, stated:
  • The Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust condemned and expressed concern over the incidents of vandalism and arson. The statement, which strongly demanded the interim government to take effective measures by the law enforcement agencies to prevent violence and chaos, stated:
  • Bangladesh Police: Police officials stated,
  • The North American social platform "Ekattorer Prohori" condemned the demolition in a statement issued on behalf of the organization by 44 expatriates, including freedom fighters, artists, organizers, professors, lawyers, and activists. Describing February 5 as another "tragic black day" for the "democracy-loving people of Bangladesh" they stated:
On 16 August 2025, at the freedom fighter gathering of the Kaderia army organized on the occasion of Makrai Day in Tangail, demanding the justice Abdul Kader Siddique said,

International