Protesters stormed the Bangladesh consulate in New York and removed a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh. Videos show protesters entering the building and taking down the portrait amid ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has faced weeks of unrest over job quota protests, which have intensified recently with demands for the resignation of 77-year-old Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The violent uprising has resulted in at least 100 deaths. On Monday, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.
The reasons behind the attack on the Bangladesh consulate in the US, far from the violence in Bangladesh, remain unclear. A video of the incident shows protesters, some wearing caps with the colors of the Bangladesh flag, causing a commotion and removing several items from the consulate office.
In Bangladesh, protesters were seen on Monday defacing a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shortly after overthrowing his daughter’s government. Some protesters also stormed the parliament building, cheering, looting, and destroying property.
Images of protesters lying in beds at Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, taking furniture and valuables, and raiding the kitchen went viral.
Bangladesh is now awaiting the formation of a new government following Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India on a military aircraft. Reports suggest she may be considering asylum in the United Kingdom, although her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has denied these reports, stating that she has no plans to return to Bangladesh.
