Bangladesh converts former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's residence into museum

One year after the student-led protests that led to the fall of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her official residence, the Ganabhaban palace in Dhaka, is being transformed into a museum. The move aims to preserve the memory of her government’s controversial legacy as the country continues to navigate political uncertainty.

The protests culminated on August 5, 2024, when jubilant crowds stormed the palace rooftop after Hasina fled the country by helicopter to India. Photographs of these celebrations became a defining symbol of the nation’s uprising. Today, the sprawling palace remains marked by graffiti messages from protesters demanding freedom and justice.

Hasina’s tenure was marked by allegations of human rights violations, including mass detentions and killings of political opponents. According to United Nations reports, up to 1,400 people died between July and August 2024 during her efforts to maintain power. Hasina, 77, denies charges of crimes against humanity in her ongoing trial in Dhaka and has not attended court hearings.

Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and current caretaker government leader, described the museum conversion as a way to “preserve memories of misrule and the people’s anger” that led to Hasina’s removal.

Activist and photographer Mosfiqur Rahman Johan, who participated in the palace storming, described Ganabhaban as a symbol of the country’s recent political struggles. He highlighted the museum’s role in illustrating both past suffering and resistance.

Curator Tanzim Wahab explained that exhibits will include artefacts related to protesters killed during Hasina’s rule, with films, photographs, and plaques honoring their lives. The museum will also document the harsh conditions endured by political detainees and use interactive displays to engage visitors, especially young people, in discussions about democracy and the future of Bangladesh.

While the Ganabhaban palace is preserved as a historical site, many other symbols of Hasina’s regime have been removed or destroyed by protesters. Statues of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—the country’s founding leader—have been toppled, and portraits have been torn or burned. The former home of Mujibur Rahman, previously a museum, was also demolished.

Students like Muhibullah Al Mashnun, who participated in these actions, view the removal of such symbols as essential for the nation’s progress toward a new future.

However, the interim government faces significant challenges. Human Rights Watch has expressed concern about unresolved issues in the security sector, the rise of violent religious groups, and political factions focused on retribution, all of which complicate efforts to strengthen democratic institutions ahead of elections scheduled for early 2026.