Popular Bengali singer Rahul Ananda bore the brunt of the spate of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh when his Dhanmondi home in the neighbouring country was looted and gutted in an arson. The lead singer of the Bangladeshi band 'Joler Gaan' hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at this house in September last year.
The protesters first looted and ransacked the house of Rahul Ananda and then set it on fire. All his musical instruments were either stolen or smashed. The incident comes close on the heels of the lynching of Sheikh Hasina loyalist and Bangladeshi producer Salim Khan and his actor-son Shanto Khan. Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's house was also vandalised and set on fire.
After the incident, Joler Gaan posted the video of the last song recorded at the house and posted a heart-breaking note. "32, Dhanmondi, was not only Rahul Ananda's home; It was the house of dreams for the band. It housed many songs, tunes, and hundreds of musical instruments. The house was also the official studio of 'Joler Gaan'. All the studio work – recording, mixing, editing – was done here...," the band wrote.
"We may be able to rebuild musical instruments, regroup for songs, and bring together the family but how do we extinguish the fire of anger? Why can't we conquer everything with love and love," it said.
The house became a centre of culture and Rahul Ananda was known for his collection of over 3,000 musical instruments.
According to Bangladeshi news website The Daily Star, Rahul Ananda is currently in hiding.
The report said the attackers forced their way into the house by breaking down the main gate, looted the property, and then set it ablaze, destroying Ananda's treasured instruments.
These assaults on Hindu minorities have surged since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled Bangladesh amidst escalating violence. She is currently in hiding in India, having arrived at the Hindon airbase near New Delhi on Monday.