By Amidst Bangladesh’s ongoing political crisis, protesters stormed and looted Ganabhaban, the official residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, taking time to display their loots on social media. The incident occurred shortly after reports of Hasina fleeing the country in the face of escalating protests that have rocked the nation for over a month.
Eyewitness accounts and social media posts reveal a chaotic scene at the prime minister’s residence. Witnesses observed demonstrators carting away a variety of items, from livestock to household goods. Particularly notable were images of protesters fleeing with hens, a stark symbol of the disorder that has engulfed the seat of power.
Among the more unusual sights, a man was photographed sitting on a rickshaw with a German Shepherd puppy, presumably taken from the residence. Another image showed a young protester brazenly sleeping on a bed in one of the rooms of Hasina’s official home, underscoring the complete breach of security and protocol.
The looting extended beyond animals and furniture. According to local news outlet Prothom Alo, protesters helped themselves to coconuts from the garden area and made off with valuable textiles, including sarees, bed sheets, and pillow covers. These items, particularly the sarees, hold both monetary and cultural significance in Bangladesh.
Perhaps the most audacious act was the impromptu feast that some protesters indulged in within the confines of the prime minister’s residence. Videos and pictures that have since gone viral on social media platforms show demonstrators enjoying biryani and korma, traditional South Asian dishes, in what appear to be the official dining areas of Ganabhaban.
While some reveled in the spoils, others engaged in more destructive activities. Protesters, fueled by accusations that Hasina’s Awami League and its student wing had violently suppressed earlier demonstrations, defaced statues of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Anger-fueled mobs set fire to the Awami League party offices, reportedly retaliating violently against several party members.
This unprecedented breach and looting of the prime minister’s residence mark a significant escalation in the political unrest that has gripped Bangladesh. The country has been in turmoil since early July, with protests against Hasina’s 15-year rule growing increasingly violent. The latest incidents have pushed the death toll to at least 356, according to an AFP tally based on reports from various officials and medical personnel.
As Bangladesh grapples with this crisis, the international community watches closely. The looting of Ganabhaban not only symbolizes the breakdown of order but also poses serious questions about the country’s political stability and the challenges facing any incoming administration.
The military’s announcement of plans to form an interim government signals a potential shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. However, with scenes of protesters feasting on biryani in the prime minister’s residence fresh in the public mind, restoring normalcy and public trust will be a daunting task for whoever takes the reins of power next.
