Tripura BJP Condemns Mob Attack on Tagore’s Ancestral Home in B’desh; Two Arrested

Agartala, Jun 12: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tripura unit has denounced vandalism at Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s historic property in Bangladesh, where sources report that disagreement over parking charges led to widespread destruction at the memorial complex. Authorities have arrested two individuals and launched investigations after mob attacks forced the indefinite closure of the memorial.

In response to the incident, Tripura BJP had initially planned to stage protests at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office in Agartala, with state president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee announcing the demonstration program. However, the party later called off the planned protests while maintaining their strong condemnation of the incident.

Following the incident, Tripura Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha issued a strong statement condemning the attack. “Recently, an incident of vandalism and attack by miscreants has occurred at the ancestral property Kachari Bari of world poet Rabindranath Tagore, located in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh,” Dr. Saha stated.

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“This incident is extremely condemnable and a shameful event for the entire nation. World poet Rabindranath Tagore is the creator of the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh. The attack and vandalism on this house, which is embedded with the memories of the world poet, can be described as an assault on our heritage and culture. We demand exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in this attack incident without delay. The caretaker government of Bangladesh needs to take strict measures in this regard,” Dr. Saha added.

Meanwhile, Former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb also condemned the incident in strong terms. “The deplorable attack and vandalism at the ancestral estate ‘Kachari Bari’ of world-renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh, and the destruction of the Rabindra Museum will remain a disgraceful black chapter for that country’s healthy cultural mindset, earned dignity, and entire humanity,” Deb stated.

“Regardless of differences in nation, religion, and language, Rabindranath Tagore is a name of emotion. The creator of that country’s national anthem, even that place embedded with ‘Rabindra Smriti’ could not escape the wrath of some frenzied, violent, and vengeful people. Such activities are continuously bringing shame to an entire nation and country before the world while gradually leading that state toward destruction,” the former Chief Minister added.

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“The misconduct of the unruly elements that have emerged in Bangladesh’s changed circumstances has been creating black history every day through ultimate shameful behavior toward the motherland, religious intolerance, and minority hatred from the very beginning. I strongly condemn and denounce this incident,” Deb concluded.

Similarly, Rajya Sabha MP Bhattacharjee said during a press conference, “Yesterday, miscreants attacked Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahjadpur during Mohammad Yunus’s interim administration in Bangladesh. It is extremely regrettable that those who attacked the ancestral home of the person who showed the world a strong path have committed this act.”

According to sources from Bangladesh, the incident began on June 8 when Shahnewaz, an expatriate visiting during Eid holidays, allegedly got into an altercation with museum staff over motorcycle parking fees at the Rabindra Kachari Bari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj district. Sources indicate that while visitors were issued entry tickets, no parking tokens were provided despite payment of parking charges.

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Reports from across the border suggest that when Shahnewaz attempted to leave the premises, a staff member at the main gate demanded to see his motorcycle parking ticket. The inability to produce the ticket reportedly led to a verbal altercation that escalated into physical confrontation. Sources allege that the custodian and other staff members then detained Shahnewaz in the office premises and subjected him to physical assault.

Local sources report that Shahnewaz’s relatives and local BNP leaders later rescued him from the premises. The same evening, Shahnewaz reportedly filed a written complaint against the custodian and staff members at Shahjadpur Police Station.

When police allegedly failed to take effective action within two days, sources indicate that people from all sections of Shahjadpur organized a human chain program in front of the Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, demanding punishment for the culpable parties. Following the peaceful demonstration, an agitated mob reportedly attacked the Kachari Bari auditorium, damaging doors, windows, and furniture.

According to Bangladesh sources, police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman reportedly visited the site and confirmed that investigations were ongoing.

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Sources from Bangladesh report that following the violence, the Department of Archaeology announced an indefinite closure of the heritage site to visitors on June 11. A three-member investigation committee was reportedly formed under the leadership of Deputy Director Sheikh Kamal Hossen from the Department of Archaeology, with instructions to submit their report within five working days.

According to local reports, police arrested two individuals on June 12 in connection with the attack and vandalism case filed at Shahjadpur Police Station. The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammad Sardul Akanda Ratna (19), son of late Helal Akanda from Dariyapur Lodipara, and Mohammad Abdus Salam (43), son of Haji Haidar Ali from Ruppur Natunpara village, both residents of Shahjadpur police station area.

Additional Police Superintendent (Shahjadpur Circle) Mohammad Kamruzzaman reportedly confirmed the arrests, stating that the accused were apprehended after their involvement was confirmed through investigation. Sources indicate that operations continue to arrest other suspects named in the case.