2025 Bulldozer march

Last updated
Bulldozer March
Part of Bangladesh post-resignation violence (2024–present)
LocationAll over Bangladesh
Date5–6 February 2024
Target Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and other structures owned by Awami League
Attack type
 Demonstrative riot
WeaponsUse of Bulldozers, cranes, and other types of building destruction mechanism
Assailant Anti-discrimination Students Movement

The 2025 Bulldozer March started on 5 February 2025 with the goal to vandalize and fully demolish the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32, Dhaka, [1] [2] along with any other structures owned by Awami League, and its members in Bangladesh. [3] [4] It started as a response to a live stream initiated by the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in exile from India. The live stream followed months after her ouster through a mass uprising.

Contents

Motive

The motive behind the destruction was a press conference which was attended by former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, while exiled in India. This conference sparked widespread unrest amongst the general public and deemed the speech to be anti-state. [5] [6] As a result, online activists called for the vandalization of Dhanmondi 32 no. house, which was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's former residence. [1] [3]

One of the many coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement, Hasnat Abdullah, said in a Facebook post: [7]

Bangladesh will be free from the Shrine of Fascism tonight.

—  Hasnat Abdullah

Methods

Some type of construction vehicles, most notably Bulldozers were used during the destruction process. Cranes were used to lift broken parts and walls to allow bulldozers to turn any remains into rubble. Excavators were used to tear apart the top part of the 3-story residence and rip down trees. Protestors used various construction rods, hammers, jackhammers for further vandalization. Protestors also tore apart various parts of the structure with bare hands. At one point, the residence was set ablaze. [8]

Aftermath

The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was completely demolished on 6 February. According to protesters, the vandalization was the "end of fascism in Bangladesh". [6]

The residence of Meher Afroz Shaon was vandalized by protestors and she was detained by the Detective Branch on suspicion of seditious conspiracy on 6 February 2025. [9] [10] She was released the next day following interrogation. [11]

The residence of Obaidul Quader in Noakhali, was vandalized and set ablaze as part of the march. [12]

Protestors also attacked other residencies owned by former Awami League members. [13] [14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bangabandhu's Dhanmondi 32 residence reduced to ruins". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "Over half of Sheikh Mujib's house torn down". bdnews24.com . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Bulldozer brought in as tension grows at Dhanmondi 32". The Financial Express (Bangladesh) . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Excavator brought to demolish Dhanmondi-32". The Daily Star. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Hasnat warns media against airing Hasina's speech". The Daily Star. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Bangladesh grapples with turbulent aftermath of Sheikh Hasina's ouster". CNN . 6 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Bangladesh will be free from the shrine of fascism tonight". Barta24. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  8. ↑ BenarNews (6 February 2025). "Bangladeshis Demolish Museum Honoring Ousted PM Hasina's Father – Angry She Spoke Online". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  9. ↑ "Meher Afroz Shaon's village home set ablaze in Jamalpur". The Financial Express (Bangladesh) . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Now, DB says Meher Afroz Shaon picked up for questioning". The Daily Star. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "Shaon, Saba released after interrogation". Prothom Alo . 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "Quader's Noakhali house vandalized, set ablaze". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "Awami League leaders' houses torched as vandalism spreads". The Tribune. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  14. ↑ "Bangladesh protesters raze buildings linked to Hasina". Gulf Times . 6 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.



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