Should Bangladesh Take Action Against Terrorism Following the Vandalism of Tagore's Ancestral Home?

Dhaka/New Delhi, June 12 (NationPress) India has issued a strong condemnation regarding the vandalisation of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral residence, known historically as the Rabindra Kachharibari, located in the Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The nation has called upon the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus to take decisive measures against the extremist factions responsible for this act.

"We firmly denounce this reprehensible act of destruction that took place on June 8, 2025, targeting the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. This act of violence is a dishonor to the legacy and inclusive philosophy championed by the Nobel laureate in Bangladesh. It is part of a troubling trend where extremists aim to obliterate symbols of tolerance and undermine the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh," stated Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a weekly media briefing.

He further urged the interim government to curtail terrorist activities and implement stringent actions against those responsible to avert similar incidents in the future.

The MEA has expressed its desire to foster a positive and productive relationship with its South Asian neighbor.

"Our stance on engagement with Bangladesh and our diplomatic relations is clear. We are dedicated to cultivating a constructive partnership with Bangladesh, grounded in the mutual aspirations of both nations," Jaiswal added.

Reports from Bangladeshi media indicate that a group of 50–60 individuals forcibly entered the Rabindra Kachharibari, which also functions as a memorial museum, and wreaked havoc in the auditorium and custodian's office, inflicting considerable damage on this historic structure.

According to Habibur Rahman, a custodian of the Kachharibari, "Visitors were present during the assault, leading to widespread panic. We sought refuge and promptly notified the police."

Visitor Enamul Haque, who was there with his family, condemned the attack, stating, "Such criminal acts at a historic site like Shahzadpur Rabindra Kachharibari are intolerable."

The Officer-in-Charge of Shahzadpur Police Station confirmed the incident, stating, "A complaint has been filed, and we are currently investigating the situation."

Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari, the opposition leader in the West Bengal assembly, addressed the issue during a speech at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Kolkata on Wednesday.

He remarked, "The sacred legacy of our beloved Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was violated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, where a mob, allegedly affiliated with the BNP and Chhatra Shibir, vandalized the historic Rabindra Kachari Bari. This shameful act targets a site that encapsulates Bengal’s cultural spirit and Tagore’s universal ethos of humanity, resulting in shattered windows, damaged furniture, and an affront to the memory of a Global Icon," he wrote on X.