Mob Vandalises Tagore’s Ancestral Home in Bangladesh

Bangladesh: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked widespread outrage in both Bangladesh and India, a mob vandalised the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district, following a dispute over motorcycle parking fees. The site, known as Rabindra Kachharibari, has now been closed to the public as authorities launch an investigation.

The unrest began on June 8, when a visitor to the Rabindra Memorial Museum reportedly clashed with staff over a parking fee. According to local media, the visitor was allegedly confined and assaulted, triggering public anger. On June 11, local residents staged a protest which turned violent, with a mob storming the museum premises, vandalising property, and reportedly assaulting a museum director. Windows and furniture were damaged, and slogans were reportedly raised against Tagore.

In response, Bangladesh’s Department of Archaeology has set up a three-member committee to investigate the incident, with findings expected within five days. Public access to the site has been suspended, and security has been tightened.

“The authority has temporarily suspended the access of the visitors into the Kachharibari due to unavoidable circumstances,” said Md Habibur Rahman, custodian of the estate, confirming that the entire premises is now under surveillance.

Located in Shahzadpur, Rabindra Kachharibari was once a residence and revenue office of the Tagore family. Rabindranath Tagore spent many creative years there, writing several of his most iconic works. Today, it stands as a cultural landmark and museum commemorating his legacy.

The vandalism has drawn sharp criticism in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the attack, calling it an insult to Bengali culture. BJP leader Amit Malviya wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Tagore belongs to the world, but he is the pride of every Bengali. Yet across the border, his legacy is being trampled — and here in West Bengal, under Mamata Banerjee’s rule, we are witnessing something eerily similar.”

As the investigation continues, the incident has raised urgent concerns about the protection of cultural heritage sites in Bangladesh, especially those linked to shared histories of the Indian subcontinent.