Image Credit: Hindustan Times
On Tuesday, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters stormed the Bangladesh consulate in New York, removing portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former President of Bangladesh. The incident, captured in a viral video circulating on social media, shows several members wearing red or the Bangladeshi flag on their heads, forcefully entering the consulate as authorities struggled to manage the chaos.
The video, widely shared online, depicts BNP supporters removing all portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the consulate’s premises. By the end of the footage, members of the party, affiliated with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, are seen taking down the portraits from a table shelf.
This incident follows the recent resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had governed Bangladesh since 2009. Hasina resigned on Monday amid escalating anti-government protests, intensifying public dissent, and mounting pressure. Her departure on Tuesday underscores the severe political instability and unrest in the country.
The storming of the consulate in New York is a clear manifestation of the growing discontent among BNP supporters and their opposition to the current political regime. The removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portraits symbolizes a broader rejection of Hasina’s administration and her family’s political legacy.
The consulate incident has sparked widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns about the safety and security of diplomatic missions abroad. As Bangladesh grapples with its internal political turmoil, the actions of BNP supporters in New York highlight the international ramifications of the country’s deepening crisis. Authorities are now tasked with addressing the fallout and ensuring the protection of diplomatic institutions in the wake of such aggressive acts.