Tripura BJP intensifies protests against the vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Bangladesh. Leaders demand justice, terming the attack an insult to shared cultural heritage. Demonstrations held across Tripura, with strong condemnation from Indian leaders and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura has intensified its protests against the recent act of vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahzadpur, Bangladesh. With widespread outrage spreading across the state, BJP leaders and supporters have staged multiple rallies and demonstrations, denouncing the attack as a direct assault on shared cultural heritage and the values that Tagore represented.
On Monday, a major protest rally was held in Agartala, starting from Vivekananda Stadium and proceeding towards the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office, located on the outskirts of the city. The march was led by Tripura BJP President and Rajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee, along with senior leaders Subal Bhowmik, Papia Datta (BJP media cell head), and Sunit Sarkar.
Addressing protestors, Bhattacharjee condemned the June 8 attack on Tagore’s ancestral property, Rabindra Kachharibari, in Bangladesh’s Sirajganj district. “The world reveres Tagore for his profound contributions to literature, music, and philosophy. This act is not just vandalism—it is a blow to literature, culture, and humanism itself,” he said. Expressing deep disappointment, he criticized the Bangladeshi authorities for their inaction, stating that no arrests have been made even days after the attack.
Bhattacharjee also highlighted Tagore’s unique position in the cultural landscape of both nations. “Tagore wrote the national anthems of India and Bangladesh. To disrespect his legacy is to insult the very spirit of our shared history. We demand exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in this shocking incident,” he stated.
Protestors also staged a brief sit-in demonstration near the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office, calling for justice and stronger bilateral efforts to preserve shared heritage.
This was not an isolated event. On Sunday evening, the BJP in Tripura organized a candlelight march, while on June 14, coordinated protests took place in at least six towns across seven districts along the state’s 856-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh. Cities like Agartala, Bishalgarh, Udaipur, Belonia, Kailashahar, Dharmanagar, and Khowai saw large-scale public participation led by senior BJP leaders and state ministers.
BJP MLA and State General Secretary Bhagaban Das, who led the rally near the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post, said the attack had deeply wounded the sentiments of people in both India and Bangladesh. “A barbaric act like this against a cultural giant is unforgivable. There has to be a limit to such outrageous actions. If Tagore’s memory is not safe, what hope is there for cultural preservation?” he questioned.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha also issued a strong statement condemning the incident. “This is not just an attack on a building—it’s an attack on our shared culture and values. It is shameful and strongly condemnable,” he said. Dr. Saha urged the interim government in Bangladesh to take swift and decisive action to prevent the recurrence of such attacks.
The vandalism occurred at Rabindra Kachharibari, a historic mansion that served as the ancestral home and revenue office of the Tagore family. Located in Shahzadpur of the Rajshahi division, it is where Rabindranath Tagore composed some of his most iconic literary works. Media reports indicate that the mob responsible for the vandalism also assaulted the museum’s director during the incident.
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) weighed in on the matter on June 12. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the attack as “despicable” and “a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy of the Nobel Laureate.” He suggested that the incident reflected a worrying trend of extremism seeking to undermine Bangladesh’s syncretic cultural fabric.
With the protests gaining momentum and calls for accountability growing louder, the pressure is now on Dhaka to respond decisively. For now, Tripura continues to lead the chorus of outrage, reaffirming the region’s deep emotional and cultural ties with the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.
