Shawon Labels the Group Bringing Bulldozers to Dhanmondi 32 as ‘Razakar Force’

On the day the verdict was delivered in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others for crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising, two bulldozers were once again seen in the Dhanmondi 32 area.

On Monday afternoon, as two bulldozers were brought to Dhanmondi 32, several young men standing on a truck were shouting slogans with microphones. They stated that the bulldozers had been brought on behalf of an organisation called ‘Red July’.

Following the incident, actress Meher Afroz Shawon referred to them as a ‘Razakar force’. Sharing a news report, she wrote, ‘Fear of the mind is the real fear. Even after repeatedly demolishing and setting fires, your fear hasn’t gone. The dust of this demolished house at Dhanmondi 32 is spread across the sky of Bangladesh. How will you deny that, Razakar force?’

Earlier, on 5 August last year, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had left the country, the house associated with the memories of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 was attacked, looted and set on fire.

Later, on 5 February last year, the house was demolished during a programme called ‘Bulldozer March’. Nearly three thousand people gathered at the site. At around 10:45 pm, the demolition began using cranes and excavators. Within a few hours, part of the three-storey house was destroyed. After a pause, another excavator joined the work.

Although the army remained there for some time around midnight, local residents continued chanting ‘fake, fake’ and eventually left. Scenes of singing, music and dancing were also observed at night. The demolished structure is currently being kept under security.

Khaborwala/TSN