Trinamool Congress, BJP condemn vandalism at Tagore’s ancestral home in Bangladesh

The Trinamool Congress and BJP have strongly condemned the vandalism of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district, calling it an attack on Bengali heritage.

The incident occurred earlier this week at the historic Kachharibari, now known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum. It followed a confrontation between a visitor and museum staff, triggering widespread condemnation from political leaders in West Bengal, reports the Indian Express.

In a statement, the Trinamool Congress said, "We strongly condemn the vandalism of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district. Gurudev is a symbol of Bengal's cultural heritage and a global icon of literature and humanism.

"Such acts of disrespect are an affront to every Bengali's identity and pride. We urge the Central Government to take cognizance and initiate bilateral dialogue to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. Our icons are not collateral damage for mob fury."

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the incident, calling it "shameful" and "outrageous."

In a post on X, he wrote. "Even the ancestral home of Nobel Laureate and global icon Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore has not been spared—vandalised under the rule of Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh. This attack is not just on a building—it is a direct assault on the soul of Bengali identity, on the legacy of free thought, and on the very symbol of art and intellect. One question echoes loudly—Is Tagore now a 'criminal' in Bangladesh, simply because he was a Hindu?"

Local reports state that the incident stemmed from a dispute between a visitor and museum staff over a motorcycle parking fee at the entrance. The visitor was allegedly confined to a room and physically assaulted, sparking public outrage.

In response, a mob stormed the premises, damaged property, and attacked officials. The museum has since been closed to the public, and authorities have launched an investigation.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari blamed the attack on activists from the BNP and Chhatra Shibir. In a social media post, he wrote:

"The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh. This shameful and utterly disgraceful act targeted a site that embodies Bengal's cultural soul and Tagore's universal message of humanity."

Adhikari also raised the issue during the Snan Yatra celebration of Jagannath Dev at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Kolkata on Monday. He described the incident as a "wake-up call" for Hindus in West Bengal.

"When extremist forces gain ground, they spare no one—not even a figure revered worldwide like Tagore. The attack on Kachharibari is not just an assault on a building; it's an attack on our shared heritage, our identity, and our values," he added.