The historic residence of Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore was vandalized in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, on Tuesday. This incident occurred just two days following a dispute over parking at the site, as reported by a state-run news agency.
The vandalism at the Rabindra Kacharibari, also known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum, has drawn strong criticism from political parties in India, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress.
On June 8, tensions flared at the memorial when a visitor clashed with a staff member over a parking fee. The situation worsened when staff allegedly locked the visitor in an office, leading to public outrage, according to reports.
Following this, on June 10, local residents formed a human chain and held a protest near the Kacharibari. During the demonstration, some protesters entered the museum and damaged its auditorium.
In response, Bangladesh's Department of Archaeology has established a three-member committee to investigate the incident and evaluate the damages, with a report expected within five days. The site has been closed to the public since the event.
Authorities have initiated legal action against approximately 50 to 60 individuals linked to the vandalism, although no arrests have been made as of yet.
The two-story Kachharibari was acquired by Dwarkanath Tagore, Rabindranath's grandfather, in 1840. The poet spent considerable time there, creating many of his renowned works, including Bishorjon, Sonar Tori, Chitra, and Meyeli Chhara.
Politicians from both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress have condemned the vandalism and urged Bangladeshi authorities to take action against those responsible.
BJP MP Sambit Patra emphasized the significance of Tagore, stating, "Rabindranath Tagore is no ordinary personality. When his house has been attacked, his way of thinking has been attacked. We appeal to the world community to unite against this."
The Trinamool Congress has called on the Indian government to address the incident and push for swift action from Bangladeshi authorities to ensure justice is served.
They stated, "Our icons are not collateral damage for mob fury," highlighting the cultural significance of Tagore.