India has issued a sharp condemnation following the vandalism of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral property, the Rabindra Kachharibari, located in Shahzadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the incident as a “despicable act” and criticized it as a deliberate effort by extremist elements to erase historic and cultural symbols of tolerance and inclusivity.
Rabindra Kachharibari, a historic estate and museum, once served as a key residence for Tagore and is considered a treasured site that reflects Indo-Bangla cultural ties. During the attack, unidentified individuals reportedly broke windows, damaged parts of the property, and created an atmosphere of unrest by shouting incendiary slogans. This act has triggered outrage across India, especially among intellectuals, political leaders, and cultural enthusiasts.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for urgent action from the Bangladeshi authorities to investigate the attack and bring the culprits to justice. He emphasized that Rabindranath Tagore’s contributions to literature, philosophy, and South Asian cultural unity should be preserved and respected, not dishonored by such violent acts.
The Bangladeshi government responded quickly by arresting two individuals linked to the attack and initiating a formal investigation through a three-member inquiry committee. Officials in Dhaka also reaffirmed that Tagore is deeply revered in Bangladesh, and condemned the attack as an affront to the nation’s shared cultural identity with India.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Indian government to take up the matter diplomatically and ensure that such historic monuments are protected. Political voices across party lines joined in expressing concern, labeling the incident as an attack on civilizational values and cultural harmony.
The episode has highlighted the fragile nature of cultural preservation in politically sensitive environments and reinforced the need for joint efforts to protect shared heritage across borders.
