Why is there a Protest Against the Vandalism of Tagore’s Ancestral Home in Bangladesh?

Agartala, June 19 (NationPress) A large number of poets, writers, and intellectuals on Thursday reached out to Bangladesh's interim government Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, urging him to intervene in the “disgraceful and intolerable” incident involving the recent vandalism of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the neighboring nation.

The letter of protest featured signatures from numerous poets, writers, singers, artists, cultural activists, and more, who also participated in a significant protest rally held here on Wednesday.

This protest letter, endorsed by notable figures such as Professor Mihir Kanti Deb, poet Ratul Debbarman, acclaimed theatre artist Bibhu Bhattacharya, and Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Swapan Nandy, was forwarded to the Bangladesh Chief Advisor via the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala and the West Tripura District Magistrate’s office.

The scholars expressed that the protest originated from Tripura, a region that shares a profound connection with Tagore, who had visited the state multiple times.

“The citizens of Tripura are profoundly disturbed by the violent assault on Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral ‘kacharibari’ (revenue office) located in Shahzadpur of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh,”

the letter stated.

It continued: “Tagore embodies the essence of our inspirations and awareness. He serves as a guiding light for global thought, transcending the narrow confines of language, identity, religion, and race. His legacy is celebrated daily through our national anthem. We firmly believe that everything associated with his memory is a source of pride for us.”

The letter emphasized that any form of insult or disrespect towards Rabindranath Tagore, whether in India or abroad, is unacceptable and disgraceful.

Previously, the ruling BJP organized a series of protest rallies throughout Tripura, denouncing the vandalism of Tagore's ancestral home and the attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh.

On June 8, a mob targeted the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh, known as Rabindra Kachharibari or Rabindra Memorial Museum in Sirajganj district.

Reports indicated that the attackers also assaulted a director of the institution. The Rabindra Kachharibari, located in Shahzadpur in the Rajshahi division, is both the ancestral home and revenue office of the Tagore family.

Many literary works of Tagore were created while residing in this mansion. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the vandalism on June 12, labeling it as part of a “systematic” effort by extremists to undermine the country’s rich cultural heritage.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the June 8 attack on the Rabindra Kachharibari as a “despicable” act and a “disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy” of the Nobel Laureate.