DHAKA: Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday responded to the destruction of the ancestral home of the country’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by saying that “anger of activists” behind the ghastly vandalism was “understandable” because “they and their relatives and friends lived through years of tyranny under the Sheikh Hasina-led fascist regime of Awami League.”
Yunus added that the interim govt understands the activists’ sense of outrage, but despite this, appeals to citizens to abide by the law.But even as he appealed for peace, he blamed Hasina for continuing to “mobilise her militants to hamper Bangladesh’s recovery from her years of abuse”.
Yunus called on citizens to immediately restore law and order, and ensure there will be no further attacks on properties associated with the ousted-PM’s family and politicians of her “fascist” Awami League party, or against any individual on any pretext.
The statement, to many, seemed to rationalise the violence aimed at erasing the legacy of “Bangbandhu” Mujib in the foundation of Bangladesh as a sovereign country.
On Wednesday, a mob set fire to Mujib’s residence in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. In Aug 1975, Mujibur Rahman, his wife and three brothers were assassinated in the house, which was turned into the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. Murals and busts of Mujibur have also been demolished or defaced across the country.
“Respecting the rule of law is what differentiates the new Bangladesh we are working together to build from the old Bangladesh under the fascist regime. Let us not undermine Bangladeshis’ sense of security and stability; any disregard for the law endangers the lives and property of citizens,” Yunus said.
For citizens who rose up and overthrew the Hasina regime in July-Aug last year to realise their dreams for the country, it is imperative to “prove to ourselves and our friends around the world our commitment to our principles…”, the statement said. The leaders of the fascist regime have left the country in complete ruins, it said, adding “the govt will bring the responsible individuals and groups to justice”.
