Tagore mural defaced in Dhaka; four detained ahead of Durga Puja
Synopsis
A woman was caught on video smearing black ink over a Rabindranath Tagore mural outside Dhaka's Shilpakala Academy — just days before Durga Puja. Four people are now in Detective Branch custody. The suspect's contradictory explanations and the festival timing have put authorities on alert for potential communal provocation.
Key Takeaways
A mural of Rabindranath Tagore was defaced with black ink outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Saturday, 11 October .
Four people , including a woman, were detained and are being questioned by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
ANM Ayas , member secretary of the Rashtra Sanglap Forum , was among those initially detained by Shahbagh police .
The woman involved gave contradictory accounts — first claiming ideological protest, then saying she had a fever and attended by mistake.
The incident occurred ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja , raising concerns about possible communal provocation.
Police have not yet established whether the act was part of a planned or organised effort.
A graffiti mural of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore was defaced outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Saturday, 11 October, with black ink smeared across the artwork in the Segunbagicha area of the capital. Police subsequently detained four people, including a woman, for questioning — an act that has drawn sharp attention given its timing just ahead of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.
What Happened at the Shilpakala Academy
The mural, painted on a wall in front of the Shilpakala Academy, was targeted during daylight hours on Saturday. Several videos that circulated on social media showed a woman using a brush to smear black ink across Tagore's likeness. A police officer from Shahbagh Police Station intervened and moved her away from the spot. The group was also heard chanting slogans during the incident, according to reports.
Following a commotion involving the woman and her associates, police detained them and took them away in a van. Shahbagh police initially detained ANM Ayas, member secretary of the Rashtra Sanglap Forum, in connection with the incident, along with two others including a woman.
What the Detainees Said
Speaking to the media, the woman at the centre of the defacement initially claimed that Tagore had opposed the establishment of the University of Dhaka and had allegedly asked, 'What need do paupers have of education?' Describing the poet as 'against Bangladesh,' she said she had defaced the mural in protest.
However, she later offered a markedly different account, claiming she had been suffering from a fever and had gone to the Shilpakala Academy area under the pretext of attending a regular protest programme. The contradictory statements have complicated the investigation.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Zahidul Islam confirmed the detentions on Saturday evening. 'Four people, including a woman, have been detained. They are now at the DB for questioning. Their names and identities cannot be disclosed at this stage in the interest of the investigation,' he said, as quoted by the Dhaka Tribune.
The Detective Branch (DB) of police is currently interrogating all four detainees. Authorities have not yet established whether the act was linked to any organised or planned provocation, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Why the Timing Has Raised Concerns
The incident has drawn heightened scrutiny because it occurred in the days leading up to Sharadiya Durga Puja, one of the most significant Hindu religious festivals observed in Bangladesh. Authorities and community leaders have expressed concern over the possibility of the defacement being used to stoke communal tensions during the celebrations. Notably, Tagore — who was born in undivided Bengal and whose works are foundational to Bangladeshi cultural identity, including the national anthem — remains a deeply revered figure across the country, making the act particularly provocative.
Police have yet to rule out any angle, and further developments are expected as the Detective Branch continues its questioning of the four detainees.
Point of View
Including its anthem. The suspect's shifting explanations suggest either a spontaneous act dressed up in post-hoc ideology, or a deliberate attempt to obscure a broader motive. The timing — days before Durga Puja — is too conspicuous to dismiss. Bangladeshi authorities face pressure to determine quickly whether this was an isolated incident or an organised effort to inflame communal sentiment, given the fragile atmosphere surrounding minority communities during major religious festivals.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Rabindranath Tagore mural in Dhaka?
A graffiti mural of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was defaced with black ink outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the Segunbagicha area of Dhaka on Saturday, 11 October. Videos circulating on social media showed a woman using a brush to smear black ink across the mural before police intervened.
Who has been detained in connection with the Tagore mural defacement?
Four people, including a woman, have been detained by Dhaka police and are being questioned by the Detective Branch. ANM Ayas, member secretary of the Rashtra Sanglap Forum, was among those initially detained by Shahbagh police. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of all detainees.
Why did the woman deface the Tagore mural?
The woman initially told media that she defaced the mural in protest, claiming Tagore had opposed the establishment of the University of Dhaka. She later gave a contradictory account, saying she had been unwell with a fever and had gone to the area to attend a regular protest programme. Police are still investigating.
Why has the timing of the defacement raised concerns?
The incident occurred just days before Sharadiya Durga Puja, a major Hindu religious festival celebrated in Bangladesh. Authorities and community leaders have expressed concern that the act could be used to incite communal tensions during the festival period. Police have not yet confirmed whether it was part of a planned provocation.
What is the significance of Rabindranath Tagore to Bangladesh?
Rabindranath Tagore is the author of 'Amar Shonar Bangla,' which serves as Bangladesh's national anthem, making him a deeply revered cultural figure in the country. He was born in undivided Bengal and his literary legacy is foundational to Bengali identity on both sides of the border, which is why the defacement has been seen as particularly provocative.
