Bangladesh Converts Hasina’s Former Palace Into Museum of Revolution

Bangladesh is converting the former official residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ganabhaban palace in Dhaka, into the July Revolution Memorial Museum to symbolize the end of her autocratic rule. The palace, stormed by jubilant protesters after Hasina fled to India amid a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024, remains covered with graffiti condemning her regime, with slogans like “Freedom,” “Dictator,” and “Killer Hasina” preserved as historical testimony. Hasina, accused of widespread human rights abuses including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings that resulted in up to 1,400 deaths according to the United Nations, denies the allegations and has defied court summons during her ongoing trial for crimes against humanity. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, heading the caretaker government until elections in early 2026, stated the museum aims to preserve the people's anger and memories of misrule, while the museum will feature interactive exhibits, torture cells, and personal stories of victims. The transformation of Ganabhaban into a museum is intended to serve as a powerful reminder of democratic struggle and resistance against fascism and autocracy in Bangladesh. The palace’s history as a symbol of political power, built by Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, adds to its significance as a national site of reflection and education.