The vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahjadpur, Bangladesh, has triggered widespread condemnation from Indian leaders, including Tripura CM Manik Saha and MP Biplab Deb. MEA demands strict action from Bangladesh authorities.
Agartala (Tripura) June 12: The recent vandalism at the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh — known as the historic Rabindra Kachharibari — has triggered widespread outrage across the subcontinent. From New Delhi to Agartala, cultural, political, and diplomatic voices have risen in strong condemnation of what is being described as a despicable assault on shared heritage.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, a mob of 50–60 individuals forcefully entered the premises on June 8, damaging parts of the memorial museum, including the auditorium and custodian’s office. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, left visitors at the site panicked and shocked.
“There were visitors at the site who panicked due to the sudden attack. We took shelter during the attack and informed police immediately,” said Habibur Rahman, the custodian of the Kachharibari, in a quote published by The Daily Star.
Visitor Enamul Haque, who was present with his family, expressed outrage: “Criminal activities at a historic site like Shahjadpur Rabindra Kachharibari are unacceptable.”
Bangladesh Police confirmed that a complaint had been registered and that an investigation is currently underway. “We are treating the matter seriously,” said the Officer-in-Charge of Shahzadpur Police Station.
India Reacts: “Disgrace to Shared Heritage”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded sharply to the attack. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a weekly press briefing, stated:
“We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8. This act is a disgrace to the memory of the Nobel laureate and a shameful attempt to erase symbols of tolerance and the synchronic culture and cultural legacy of Bangladesh”.
The MEA also called upon the interim government of Bangladesh to act swiftly and decisively to prevent the recurrence of such extremist violence.
Tripura Leaders React
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, deeply disturbed by the incident, released a statement condemning the attack. “This is a highly condemnable and shameful incident — not just for the Bengali community but for both India and Bangladesh. Rabindranath Tagore, the revered poet and composer of both nations’ national anthems, belongs to all of us. An attack on a site associated with him is an attack on our shared cultural and literary heritage,” he said. Condemning the attack, Dr Saha said, “I strongly demand immediate and exemplary punishment for those involved in this disgraceful act. The caretaker government of Bangladesh must take strict and swift action in this matter”.
Got the news of some miscreants vandalising and attacking the ancestral home of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore Ji in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh.
This is a highly condemnable and shameful incident — not just for the Bengali community but for both nations, India… pic.twitter.com/WW9LQCiddL
— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) June 12, 2025
Former Chief Minister of Tripura and MP Biplab Kumar Deb also reacted strongly, calling the incident a “dark chapter in the cultural consciousness of humanity.” In a social media post, Deb wrote: “The heinous attack and vandalism at Kachharibari, the ancestral home of world-renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh — now a Rabindra museum — will remain a disgraceful and dark chapter in the cultural consciousness, dignity, and legacy of not just Bangladesh but all of humanity.
Rabindranath Tagore is a name that evokes deep emotion beyond nationality, religion, or linguistic identity. Even the site associated with the creator of Bangladesh’s national anthem and imbued with his memories could not escape the fury of a few frenzied, violent, and vengeful individuals.
Such actions not only bring shame upon an entire nation before the global community but also gradually drag the country toward destruction.
The thuggish behavior of unruly groups that have emerged in Bangladesh’s changing sociopolitical landscape is a disgraceful betrayal of the very motherland that gave them birth. Their religious intolerance and hatred toward minorities are daily scripting new, dark pages in history. I strongly condemn and denounce this incident.”
Planned Protest Cancelled After National Tragedy
Tripura Pradesh BJP had announced plans to stage a protest in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala in response to the attack. However, the demonstration was later called off following the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which was en route to London from Ahmedabad with 242 passengers on board.
Cultural Symbol Under Threat
The attack on Kachharibari — once visited by Tagore himself and now preserved as a museum — is being viewed not merely as an act of vandalism but a deliberate blow to the legacy of peace, art, and pluralism that the Nobel Laureate stood for.
As Bangladesh reels under rising cases of religious intolerance and minority-targeted violence, cultural commentators warn that such acts not only shame the nation globally but may also set back decades of progress toward inclusive identity and heritage preservation. (With inputs from IANS)
