TL;DR:
- Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August 2024 following a massive student-led uprising against her government, leading to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus becoming the interim leader.
- The once-powerful Awami League headquarters in Gulistan now stands abandoned and vandalized, with its 10-story building being misused as a public facility and stripped of valuable materials.
- Bangladesh’s interim government has labeled Awami League as a “fascist party” and banned their planned rally on November 10, 2024, with strict warnings against any gatherings.
- Calls are growing for Hasina’s extradition from India to face trial for alleged human rights violations, while experts suggest the party needs complete reform before participating in future politics.
The once-powerful central office of Bangladesh’s Awami League in Gulistan has fallen into severe disrepair and misuse, marking a dramatic shift in the party’s status following the August uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The 10-story building, which previously served as the nerve center of Bangladesh’s ruling party, now stands as a stark symbol of the party’s dramatic fall from power. The structure bears visible signs of destruction, with burned walls, broken glass, and waterlogged floors throughout the building.
“The building’s various parts are still being stripped of metal rods by some people,” reports Solaiman, a local rickshaw puller who frequently visits the area. The building’s condition has deteriorated to the point where its ground floor is reportedly being used as a public restroom.
The deterioration comes in the wake of the mass uprising in July-August that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has taken a strong stance against the former ruling party, recently labeling it as “fascist” and denying permission for any public gatherings.
The building’s current state reflects broader changes in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The structure shows extensive damage from the August 5 protests, when demonstrators targeted Awami League offices nationwide. Inside, scattered debris, burned documents, and broken furniture litter the floors, while various bottles and waste materials indicate unauthorized occupation.
The transformation of this once-restricted political hub is particularly striking. Local witnesses report that the building, which previously required careful vetting for entry, now stands completely unguarded, with various individuals using the upper floors for leisure activities.
The interim government has initiated investigations into allegations of human rights violations against former Awami League leaders, with growing calls for Hasina’s extradition from India. Meanwhile, many party leaders have either been arrested or gone into hiding, marking a complete reversal of the party’s 15-year dominance in Bangladesh’s political sphere.
“The party is reaping what it sowed,” remarks Shariful Islam, a local pedestrian, reflecting the public sentiment toward the former ruling party’s current predicament.
Source: Jugantor
