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Protesters razed the historic 32 Dhanmondi house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in backlash against provocative speeches of deposed premier Hasina from her refuge in India, sending out waves of such demolition drives countrywide.
The interim government in a statement on Thursday termed the demolition of the Dhanmandi house as unexpected.
Sheikh Hasina's provocative statements on social and other media platform resulted in such action by angry students, said Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Thursday when asked to state government position on the incident.
"We know it will be viewed outside the country negatively," he told reporters in a briefing.
He said military personnel went to the spot and they were able to contain the situation and so it could not deteriorate further.
However, the foreign affairs adviser of the post-uprising government said the government would be vigilant so that such incident cannot be repeated in future.
Meanwhile, reports say, Wednesday night's demolition and torching action by throngs of protesters sent out waves of such action against other top leaders of Hasina's beleaguered Awami League party across the country.
Homes of Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and stalwarts Ameer Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Shariar Alam and Hanif, among others, were also wrecked by bulldozing and torching since Wednesday night through the whole day on Thursday.
Sculptures and nameplates of family members of the Sheikh family in educational institutions and installations were also torn down amid the furors.
Asked whether the present government would scrap the uneven deals with India, the adviser said it is very tough to scrap international deals once signed.
It can be revised through negotiations with counterparty and the government is going that way in the case of the deal inked with Adani Group of India, he mentions. The Foreign Adviser said the deal with Adani was not a good one as it was not done protecting Bangladesh's interests.
Responding to a question, the foreign adviser said Bangladesh wants to normalise its bilateral ties with Pakistan in the interest of both the countries.
The adviser also mentions that the previous regime's bilateral ties with Pakistan were intentionally kept bitter, "but now we want to see Pakistan as another country in South Asia".
He said Pakistan's foreign minister is likely to pay an official visit to Dhaka in April to discuss the whole gamut of bilateral ties between the two countries, which happen to have separated through the 1971 independence of Bangladesh.
Regarding the visa problem for Bangladesh at the Thai Embassy in Dhaka, the adviser said the Foreign Ministry had already requested the Thai mission here to expedite the process.
But he points out that the number of visa applications in the Thai Embassy increased manifold as India reduced the number of its visas to Bangladeshis.
The Thai Embassy has a capacity to provide 400 visas daily, but in reality, they are getting application many times more, causing the delay.
"However, we have requested them to take some alternate measures like not scrutinising all the applications. We have told them that those who have American or British visas in their passports might be exempted from the scrutiny," the adviser added.
Regarding the suspension of recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Dubai, Mr Touhid said it resulted from the demonstrations staged by Bangladeshi workers in Dubai, which is illegal as per the law of that gulf country.
However, he mentions that during the upcoming Dubai visit, Chief Adviser of the interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus may raise the issue with the government of Dubai.
Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again at around 12:30 pm Thursday following the demolition of the main building, witnesses said.
The fire quickly spread to the adjacent building on the right, prompting urgent evacuation efforts as the flames continued to engulf the collapsed structure.
Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered beneath the site, chanting slogans such as "Naraye Takbir," "Chi Chi Hasina, lojjay bachi na," and "Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka."
Meanwhile, the crowds continued to demolish the remaining parts of the historic house following a night of vandalism.
The demolition began at around 11:30pm on Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours after the house was set on fire around 9pm.
Witnesses said an angry mob gathered at the site, chanting slogans against the Awami League and its leader deposed ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
A UNB correspondent visiting the scene saw people dismantling parts of the structure and collecting bricks, doors, and windows. Some in the crowd vowed to remain at the site until the house was completely destroyed.
Tensions escalated when two individuals, including a middle-aged woman, were reportedly beaten after they chanted "Joy Bangla," the protesters claimed.
Despite calls from Awami League leaders and activists on social media to protect the building, no organised resistance was visible on the ground. Locals also refrained from commenting on the matter.
The house, which was turned into a museum, came under arson attack on August 5 last year following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
As of Thursday noon, the right section of the building was nearing full demolition, while the rest was being dismantled by protesters using tools. Burnt debris from the fire remained scattered throughout the premises.
The situation remained volatile, with no law-enforcement agencies present to prevent possible accidents or further destruction. The throngs continued to swell as more people joined in, watching or participating in the demolition efforts.
Many in the crowd reiterated their determination to stay at the site until the house was completely torn down.
The residence of Sheikh Hasina, Sudha Sadan, located on Road 5 in Dhanmondi, was set on fire by protesters on Wednesday midnight.
Since the ousting of the Hasina government during the student uprising on August 5, Sudha Sadan had been completely vacated.
Fire service officials reported that the fire at the residence was discovered around 11:30 pm, and their teams were dispatched to control the blaze.
By midnight, flames were visible on the second, third, and fourth floors of the building. Local people set fire to and vandalised the house of Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed on Gazipur road in Bhola district town.
Witnesses said a group of local people marched towards the house of Tofail, member of AL Advisory Council, with a procession around 12:30 am.
Later, they stormed into the house around 1:45 am and set fire to it.
Some people were seen taking furniture of the house on the road and setting those on fire.
The residences of former minister Amir Hossain Amu and former chief whip Abul Hasanat Abdullah were demolished by protesters in Barishal early Thursday.
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