DHAKA: The ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh’s Sirajganj district was vandalised by a mob, prompting authorities to launch a formal investigation, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the historic Kachharibari, also known as the Rabindra Kachharibari or Rabindra Memorial Museum, located in Shahzadpur under Rajshahi division. Tagore spent significant time at this estate, composing several of his celebrated literary works there.
According to a report by bdnews24.com, the unrest began on June 8 when a visitor arrived at the site with his family. An altercation reportedly broke out between the visitor and an employee at the entrance over a motorcycle parking fee. The situation escalated when the visitor was allegedly confined in an office and physically assaulted.
The incident sparked public outrage in the area. On Tuesday, local residents staged a protest by forming a human chain. Tensions further flared when a mob attacked the premises, vandalising parts of the auditorium and allegedly assaulting a director of the institution.
In response, the Department of Archaeology has formed a three-member committee to investigate the attack, as reported by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.
Md Habibur Rahman, custodian of the Kachharibari, told reporters that access to the site has been temporarily suspended due to “unavoidable circumstances.” He added that the entire premises are currently under strict surveillance, and the investigation committee has been instructed to submit its report within five working days.
The Kachharibari is not just a heritage structure but a vital piece of the cultural legacy of Bangladesh and India. The estate functioned as a revenue office during Tagore’s lifetime and was central to his work during his stay in Shahzadpur.
The vandalism of such a historically significant site has drawn concern from heritage conservationists and the general public alike, as they await the outcome of the official probe.
