Bangladesh’s historic “Dhanmondi 32” area—home to the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which later became a memorial museum—is a living symbol of Bangladesh’s hard-won independence. For decades, this site has served not only as a remembrance of the liberation struggle but also as a rallying point for national identity. However, recent reports indicate that this revered landmark has been systematically demolished by bulldozers and excavators amid violent protests, an act that many see as an assault on the very soul of the nation.
The Incident at Dhanmondi 32
On the evening of February 5, 2025, as anger and protest simmered in the capital, a wave of vandalism swept through Dhanmondi 32. Eyewitness accounts and multiple local news reports reveal that protesters—armed with hammers, axes, and even bulldozers—broke through the gate of the historic building, defacing walls and destroying relics that have been cherished since the days of the liberation war. The destruction is not an isolated event; similar acts have been recorded in other regions of the country, indicating a coordinated campaign to erase symbols of national sacrifice and unity.
Extremist Incitement: The Role of Online Activism
At the heart of these disturbances lies a highly controversial figure—an online activist and self-styled provocateur, Pinaki Bhattacharya, alongside another figure known as Faham Abdus Salam. Their social media posts have called on supporters to march on Dhanmondi 32, promising that “when the live broadcast of the ‘Kadal Rani’ begins, everyone must converge on 32.” Such messages, loaded with incendiary language and defiant slogans, have provided the ideological and psychological impetus for these destructive protests. Critics label Pinaki Bhattacharya as a “provocateur” who, by stirring up anti-establishment sentiment, serves as an incubator for extremist militancy in Bangladesh.
Allegations of French Government Complicity
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this narrative is the international dimension. Despite a recent terrorist attack in France that claimed many lives, it is alleged that the French government continues to provide sanctuary to this notorious online activist—a Bangladeshi expatriate of Pakistani descent. This decision, critics argue, represents not only a failure to curb extremist influences abroad but also an indirect endorsement of anti-national actions in Bangladesh. By offering asylum to an individual accused of inciting violent destruction against symbols of the nation’s liberation struggle, the French authorities are seen by many as complicit in enabling a broader campaign of cultural and historical vandalism. Such policies raise serious questions about the international community’s commitment to combating extremism when geopolitical interests and diaspora politics come into play.
Implications for National Identity and Global Counterterrorism
The deliberate demolition of Dhanmondi 32 is more than an act of vandalism—it is an assault on the country’s heritage and a calculated attempt to rewrite history. By targeting sites associated with the sacrifice and struggle of millions, these militants aim to delegitimize the narratives of resistance and freedom that underpin Bangladeshi identity. Moreover, when state or quasi-state actions (or inactions) seem to back such extremist behavior, the risk is not confined to domestic unrest. There is a potential ripple effect that undermines global counterterrorism efforts and challenges international norms regarding the protection of cultural heritage.
The alleged policy of the French government to shelter figures who are linked—directly or indirectly—to such violent incitement not only jeopardizes Bangladesh’s internal security but also sets a dangerous precedent on the international stage. If extremist leaders are rewarded with safe haven, then the message is clear: geopolitical considerations may trump the imperative to uphold human rights and cultural preservation.
Conclusion
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads where the assault on its national monuments is emblematic of deeper ideological and political fractures. The vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 is a stark reminder that symbols of liberation can become battlegrounds for extremist agendas. While local reports document the violent demolitions orchestrated by militant groups incited through incendiary social media rhetoric, the international dimension—exemplified by the French government’s alleged sheltering of such provocateurs—calls for urgent global scrutiny.
It is imperative for the international community to condemn all forms of cultural vandalism and to hold accountable those governments whose policies inadvertently empower extremist actions. Only through rigorous, impartial investigation and sustained global pressure can the sanctity of national heritage and the principles of counterterrorism be maintained. The people of Bangladesh, and indeed the world, deserve to know the truth behind these orchestrated attacks on history and identity.