India Strongly Condemns Vandalism at Tagore’s Ancestral Home in Bangladesh
New Delhi : India on Thursday issued a sharp condemnation of the vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home, the historic Rabindra Kachharibari in Bangladesh’s Sirajganj district. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the June 8 attack a “despicable act” and urged the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Dhaka to take swift and strict action against the perpetrators.
“We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8. This violent act is a disgrace to the memory of the Nobel Laureate and undermines the inclusive philosophy he championed,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing.
Describing the incident as part of a larger trend of targeted attacks on cultural symbols, Jaiswal warned of the extremist attempts to “erase symbols of tolerance” and the “syncretic cultural legacy” of Bangladesh.
“We urge the interim government to rein in these extremist elements and ensure that such disgraceful acts are not repeated,” he added.
The MEA further reiterated India’s commitment to maintaining positive and constructive bilateral ties with Bangladesh, emphasizing that relations should be anchored in the “aspirations of both peoples.”
Details of the Attack
According to Bangladeshi media, a mob of around 50-60 individuals stormed the Rabindra Kachharibari, which also functions as a memorial museum. The vandals damaged the auditorium, shattered windows, and vandalised the custodian’s office, leaving behind significant destruction.
“There were visitors present who panicked due to the sudden attack. We took shelter and immediately alerted the police,” said Habibur Rahman, custodian of the site, as quoted by The Daily Star.
Eyewitness Enamul Haque, visiting with his family, described the attack as “unacceptable and disgraceful,” especially given the site’s immense cultural and historical value.
Local police confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged earlier and an investigation is ongoing.
Political Outrage in India
The incident has also triggered a sharp response from political leaders in India. West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari raised the issue during his speech at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Kolkata.
“The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated. The act of vandalism led by BNP and Chhatra Shibir activists is shameful and disgraceful,” he said in a post on X.
He described the destruction as an insult to Bengal’s cultural soul and Tagore’s “universal message of humanity.”
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