Bangladesh to convert Sheikh Hasina’s palace into museum to mark revolution against her rule
As Hasina fled, thousands of protesters stormed her former palace, which govt described as a 'symbol of oppression'
PTC Web Desk: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now the leader of Bangladesh's caretaker government, revealed on Monday that the former residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be transformed into a museum to mark the revolution that ended her reign. During a visit to the dilapidated Ganabhaban palace, Yunus said the museum would serve as a reminder of the alleged misrule during Hasina's leadership and the people's outrage that led to her removal from power.
Following a student-led revolt that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to India on August 5, Yunus, the 84-year-old microfinance pioneer, was appointed as the country’s "chief adviser." Under Hasina’s 15-year rule, her government faced accusations of widespread human rights violations, including the mass imprisonment and extrajudicial killings of political dissidents. A Bangladeshi court recently issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, further intensifying her fall from power.
Before her escape, more than 700 persons reportedly lost their lives in a harsh police crackdown. As Hasina fled, thousands of protesters stormed her former palace, which the government described as a "symbol of oppression." The palace, now covered in graffiti condemning her regime, was looted and damaged in the ensuing chaos.
One of the museum's key features will be a reconstruction of the notorious “House of Mirrors” or Aynaghar detention centre, used during Hasina's rule. The centrer, named for its design where prisoners were isolated from others, will highlight the torture and suffering experienced by secret detainees, according to Yunus.
The overthrow of Hasina's regime triggered two days of unrest, including the looting of a museum at the home of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s first president.
Apurba Jahangir, a press officer in Yunus's office, confirmed that construction on the new museum is slated to begin in December. Although the project has yet to commence, work is expected to start soon, he said.
Sheikh Hasina, now 77, has not made any public appearances since fleeing Bangladesh and was last reported at a military airbase near New Delhi, India.