Watch: Who Is Rahul Ananda? Why Was His 140-Year-Old House Set On Fire By Protesters?

Amidst the violent protests in Bangladesh that resulted in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and escape from the country, another shocking incident has surfaced involving singer and cultural activist Rahul Ananda. Ananda, who resides in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32, was attacked at his home by protesters. He fled the attack along with his wife and teenage son.

According to the Bangladeshi English-language daily, the Daily Star, the assailants broke into his house by smashing the main gate. The attackers looted the entire 140-year-old property, which had been visited by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023.They seized everything they could find, including 3,000 handmade musical instruments that Rahul Ananda had crafted over the years.Currently, Ananda and his family are hiding in an undisclosed location, as revealed by Saiful Jurnal, a founding member of Ananda’s band, Joler Gaan.

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Who is Rahul Ananda?

Rahul Ananda is the lead vocalist of the folk band Joler Gaan. Born in Moulvi Bazar in 1976, he earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Graphic Design from the University of Dhaka.Beyond his musical talents, Ananda is a prominent actor with the Bangladeshi theater group Prachyanat. In recent years, he has participated in eight residency programs across the UK, Japan, India, Egypt, and Brazil, showcasing his skills as a visual artist, musician, and actor.

Following the attack, Joler Gaan posted a song titled “Love, Peace, and Solidarity” on their official Facebook page. The accompanying caption mentioned that Ananda’s house served as a recording studio for the band.“This song was the last one recorded in this room. Everything you see in the video no longer exists. Amid the turmoil, music brought us together. This song is our farewell gift to all,” read an excerpt from the caption, originally written in Bengali.

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Escalating Protests

The protests in Bangladesh have intensified over the past few weeks after students initially protested over job quotas and demanded Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Following her departure, houses of several Hindu celebrities and businesses were torched. The unrest has resulted in widespread chaos and significant property damage, further highlighting the volatile situation in the country.