India on Thursday strongly condemned the attack and arson at the historic Dhanmondi 32 residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, calling it a "regrettable act."

"This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

He said that those who respect Bangladesh’s Liberation War and national identity understand the significance of this residence in the country’s history. Jaiswal described the house as “a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against occupation and oppression” and said its destruction was deeply unfortunate.

The statement from New Delhi came after Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s "false and fabricated" remarks and handed a diplomatic note to India’s acting envoy in Dhaka.

India’s foreign ministry reiterated that the Dhanmondi 32 residence, where Bangabandhu spent crucial years of his political struggle, remains an important part of Bangladesh’s national consciousness and history.

Earlier, Bangladesh urged India to take measures to prevent Hasina from making political statements while staying in the country. Dhaka viewed her remarks as a "hostile act" against Bangladesh.

Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year after leaving Bangladesh in the wake of a massive student-led movement that ended her 16-year rule.

On Wednesday, she addressed the attack on her father’s residence, a place deeply connected to Bangladesh’s independence.

"They can demolish a building, but not the history. But they must also remember that history takes its revenge," Hasina said in her speech.

"They do not have the power to erase our national flag, constitution, or the independence we achieved through the sacrifice of millions of martyrs," she added, referring to the Yunus-led interim government.

BDST: 1455 HRS, FEB 07, 2025
MSK