'I'm not working to rehabilitate Awami League,' says Kader Siddique after attack on home

Kader Siddique, a decorated freedom fighter and Krishak Sramik Janata League president, has said he is not working to rehabilitate the Awami League.

Distancing himself from speculation following an attack on his home in Tangail on Sunday, he said: “I left the Awami League and founded the Krishak Sramik Janata League about 26 years ago. I have no political relationship with Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League,” he said.

“However, I love and respect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the people of Bangladesh,” he added.

Kader made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, following an attack on his residence, Sonar Bangla, in Sakhipur in the wee hours of the day.

The freedom fighter, who holds the title of “Bir Uttam”, said, “If peace comes to the country by demolishing my house like Bangabandhu’s house at [Dhaka's Dhanmondi Road] No. 32, then I support demolishing my house.”

“I am not blaming any party leader or activist for this incident. However, a case will be filed in this incident,” he said.

He also confirmed that he would attend a previously announced freedom fighter rally in Basail Upazila later in the day.

His younger brother Shamim Al Mansur Azad Siddique and several other freedom fighters were present at the press conference.

Earlier, around 1am on Sunday, Kader’s house, Sonar Bangla, on District Sadar Road in Tangail city was attacked.

The assailants vandalised his car and the glass windows of the residence before attempting to set it on fire.

Tangail Police Station chief Tanvir Ahmed said, “The police have started investigating the matter. Those involved will be identified soon and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, the administration imposed Section 144 in Basail, where separate gatherings had been called under the banners of the "Kaderia Bahini" and a student rally.

Upazila administrator (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Aklima Begum issued the order on Saturday night.

It will remain in effect from 6am to 6:30pm on Sunday.

The attack on his home came within a day of Kader suddenly falling ill while addressing a party meeting in Sakhipur’s Khan Market on Saturday afternoon.

He was asleep on the second floor of the residence when it occurred, according to the house's caretaker Raju Mia.

This was not the first time the freedom fighter has come under attack in recent times. In August 2024, Kader's vehicle was attacked and vandalised while he attempted to pay his respects at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait at Dhaka's Dhanmondi 32.

The incident sparked criticism of the unstable political climate and the targeting of revered freedom fighters.

Just weeks ago, his elder brother Abdul Latif Siddique, also a freedom fighter and former minister, was among 16 people arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act after a roundtable on the Liberation War at Dhaka Reporters Unity was violently disrupted. The group calling themselves “July Fighters” stormed the event, chanting slogans and harassing the mostly elderly participants, including Latif, a Dhaka University law professor, and a journalist, before handing them over to police.

Police later said the event was part of an attempt to “destabilise the interim government”, and a court sent all 16 detainees to jail, rejecting their bail petitions.