Thousands of protesters set fire to the historic home of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as political tensions continue to escalate in the country. The demonstration took place late Wednesday, with protesters opposing the interim government while ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on her supporters to resist the new administration.

Bangladesh has been in turmoil since Hasina fled to India in August following weeks of protests that resulted in over 1,000 deaths. Witnesses reported that several thousand protesters, some armed with sticks, hammers, and other tools, surrounded Mujibur Rahman’s residence and independence monument. Others brought heavy machinery, including a crane and an excavator, to demolish the building. By Thursday, much of the house’s front section was destroyed, with looters taking steel, wooden items, and books from inside.

The house holds deep historical significance, as it was where Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. It was also the site of his assassination in 1975, along with most of his family members. Hasina, who survived the attack, later converted the house into a museum honoring her father’s legacy.

The protest was part of a broader demonstration called the "Bulldozer Procession," aimed at disrupting Hasina’s scheduled online address. Many demonstrators were aligned with the group "Students Against Discrimination," who opposed her speech and saw it as a challenge to the legitimacy of the interim government.

In her speech, Hasina condemned the attack on her father’s residence, stating that the destruction of a building could not erase history. She accused the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, of seizing power unconstitutionally and urged Bangladeshis to resist.

Yunus' press office distanced itself from the attack, calling it "unintended and unwanted," and claimed it was a response to Hasina’s political actions. A statement from his office accused her of provoking unrest and undermining the sacrifices of those who participated in the July uprising.

Political analysts warn that the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh stems from deep economic and social grievances. Shakil Ahmed, an associate professor at Jahangirnagar University, noted that the interim government has struggled to implement meaningful reforms. He argued that rather than addressing economic and social issues, the administration has been focused on managing political conflicts.

As violence continues, concerns are growing that the crisis could further destabilize the country. With Hasina rallying her supporters and the interim government struggling to restore order, Bangladesh’s political future remains uncertain.