‘Tagore Integral To Heritage’: Bangladesh Forms Committee, Arrests 2 Over Poet's Ancestral Home Vandalism

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 11:45 IST

The Department of Archaeology formed a three-member inquiry committee and ordered a report within five days.

A group of protesters forcibly entered the Rabindra Kachharibari premises—known for its association with the Nobel laureate—and damaged property, including the museum’s auditorium. (Moneycontrol)

The Government of Bangladesh has confirmed legal action following a violent incident at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahzadpur, Sirajganj district. The site, managed by the Department of Archaeology, holds deep cultural significance as the Nobel Laureate’s residence during the 1890s—where he penned several notable works including Sonar Tori and Chaitali.

The unrest began with a dispute between museum staff and a visitor over a motorcycle parking fee. According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated when the visitor and his family were allegedly confined and assaulted by staff members. As news of the altercation spread, local residents gathered in protest. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent, with a mob storming the Rabindra Kachharibari premises and vandalising property, including the museum auditorium. One of the institution’s directors was also reportedly assaulted.

In response, the Department of Archaeology formed a three-member inquiry committee and ordered a report within five days. The site has since been closed to visitors for security reasons. On June 10, a criminal case was registered with local police, and two individuals were arrested in connection with the violence. The district administration has also launched a separate inquiry.

“The people and the Government of Bangladesh hold Poet Rabindranath Tagore in the highest of esteem and his contribution to our language, literature and culture is deeply revered," the release mentioned.

“The Government and the people of Bangladesh would continue to cherish his contributions and would like to reiterate that in the Bangladesh national and cultural space there is no scope for any divisive and motivated attempt to foment controversy on the subject, reaffirming its reverence for the iconic Bengali poet, the Government of Bangladesh stressed that Tagore is integral to the nation’s cultural identity," it added.

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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