Sheikh Hasina's five cousins are Sheikh Helal Uddin, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, Sheikh Sohel Uddin, Sheikh Shah Jalal Rubel and Sheikh Belal Uddin. Among them, Sheikh Helal and Sheikh Jewel were members of parliament from Bagerhat-2 and Khulna-2 constituencies respectively. Another member of parliament was Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tanmoy, son of Sheikh Helal Uddin. The politics of the Awami League on the other side of the Padma were basically controlled from that house.
Apart from this, the contracting work of government, autonomous and even private institutions in this region was controlled from that house. During the vandalism, many were heard saying, 'Many people were not allowed to enter this house, many political leaders were seen standing on the street for hours, many bureaucrats were also seen attending this house.'
The transfers and promotions of government officials and employees were also controlled from this Sheikh Bari. Overall, there was a long-standing resentment towards the Sheikh Bari. This was manifested on August 4 and 5 last year and most recently on Wednesday (February 5) six months later.
