The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, also known as Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 in capital Dhaka, was set on fire by protesters Monday amid anti-government protests in Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu Bhaban was the personal residence of the founding father and former Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is also the father of Sheikh Hasina.
The Bangabandhu memorial museum was dedicated to Mujibur Rahman who was assassinated along with his wife and their three sons by disgruntled Army officers on August 15, 1975. He was the serving President at that time.
Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana had survived as they were abroad. Hasina then spent six years in exile in India.
Bangabandhu Bhaban, the famous landmark in Dhaka, was set on fire by the protestors at around 3 pm on Monday.
Thousands of protesters also looted and vandalised Sheikh Hasina's official residence in the capital city and torched several key buildings, including the Awami League's Dhaka district office and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre. Four Hindu temples suffered minor damages across the country, eyewitnesses and a community leader were quoted as saying in reports.
The vandalisation comes after jubilant crowds took to the streets on Monday to celebrate their victory after Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced Hasina's resignation.
Videos also showed protesters vandalising the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A video has also surfaced showing protesters chiseling away at the statue’s head with an axe.
They were seen celebrating on the Ganabhaban premises waving in the air, while others were seen walking away with sofas, chairs, and even Hasina's personal belongings like clothes. Footage on social media showed protesters climbing the statue of Sheikh Mujib at Ganabhaban and smashing it with hammers.
The home of Dr Wajed Miah, Hasina’s husband, was not spared either, according to local reports. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan's house was ransacked too.
The crowd also entered the Parliament building. People were seen taking things from inside the parliament building. A large number of protesters broke through the main gate of the police headquarters and ransacked the building.