What Led to the Vandalism of Tagore's Ancestral Home? BJP Delegation Meets Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata
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Kolkata, June 16 (NationPress) A group of BJP leaders from West Bengal visited the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on Monday to express their concerns regarding the recent vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral residence in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.
After leaving the Deputy High Commission, BJP legislator and fashion designer-turned-politician Agnimitra Paul addressed the media, stating that the delegation sought answers on the reasons behind the destruction of Tagore's ancestral property.
“What is the reason behind the destruction of Tagore's statue in Bangladesh? Why are Hindus facing attacks in Bangladesh? Why isn’t the interim government of Bangladesh taking action against these incidents? Gurudev Tagore is the author of Bangladesh's National Anthem. Why is this not recognized by the Bangladesh government?” Paul questioned.
She further remarked that the leader of the interim government in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, is engaging in appeasement politics similar to that of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“The present Bangladesh government is largely influenced by Islamic fundamentalist forces who wish to see Gurudev’s literary contributions excluded from the national anthem. We presented these inquiries, and they responded politely. They asked us to send an official email regarding these issues, which they would escalate to their higher-ups,” Paul stated.
Additionally, the BJP aims to restore the previous friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.
BJP state general secretary and former Lok Sabha member Locket Chatterjee mentioned that even the staff at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission expressed discomfort regarding the vandalism of Tagore’s ancestral home.
“They assured us they would communicate our concerns to their superiors,” Chatterjee noted.
Recently, Mamata Banerjee sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to address the vandalism issue with the Bangladesh government.
“I urge you to robustly take up this matter with the government of our neighboring country, ensuring every effort is made to swiftly bring the perpetrators of this shameful and senseless act to justice. Although irreparable damage has occurred, an assertive international protest could prevent future attacks on monuments that represent our cultural heritage,” the Chief Minister's letter stated.