Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who currently leads Bangladesh’s interim government, has urged citizens to stop attacking properties linked to the family of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party. His appeal follows a wave of vandalism and arson targeting Hasina’s supporters, including the destruction of a historic house tied to her family.

Since Hasina was removed from power, mobs have been attacking her allies, setting fire to homes and businesses owned by former lawmakers, Cabinet ministers, and Awami League leaders. One of the most significant incidents was the destruction of Hasina’s family home in Dhaka, along with other properties belonging to her relatives. Protesters also demolished the house of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a key figure in Bangladesh’s independence, which had been turned into a museum. Reports suggest the attack was coordinated and shared on social media.

In response, Yunus has called for the restoration of law and order, warning that further violence will not be tolerated. The interim government has vowed to take strict action against those responsible for destabilizing the country through destruction and provocations. Speaking from exile in India, Hasina condemned the attack on her father’s former residence, emphasizing that while a building can be destroyed, history cannot be erased.

Hasina stepped down in August 2024 after 15 years in power, following widespread student-led protests against her rule. While Yunus’s government has pledged reforms and fair elections, it is also facing growing unrest and allegations of human rights violations. Meanwhile, India has strongly condemned the destruction of Rahman’s house, calling it a significant historical symbol. The Indian government summoned Bangladesh’s acting high commissioner in New Delhi to express its concerns.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.