SIRAJGANJ: Authorities in Bangladesh have launched an investigation following an incident of vandalism at Shahjadpur Kachharibari, the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The incident occurred after a dispute over a motorcycle parking fee at the entrance to the historic property, which is currently a museum.
According to officials, the altercation started when a visitor refused to pay the BDT 10 fee for parking his vehicle and allegedly assaulted a staff member. Following the scuffle, the individual was briefly detained by security. Soon after, a group of around 40 individuals, allegedly connected to the visitor, returned to the site and forcibly entered the premises.
Witnesses reported that the mob shattered windows, damaged furniture, and chanted slogans while moving through the property. No major artwork or manuscripts were damaged, but the disruption to the 19th-century building’s infrastructure and atmosphere has raised public concern.
The Department of Archaeology has since suspended visitor entry and formed a three-member probe committee to assess the damages and determine the sequence of events. Local police are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing staff and eyewitnesses to identify those involved.
Shahjadpur Kachharibari is of immense cultural significance in Bangladesh. Tagore, who composed many of his literary works during his stays here, remains a towering figure in South Asian literature. His legacy is shared by both India and Bangladesh.
Politicians and cultural organisations have expressed alarm at the desecration of such a revered site. In India, lawmakers across party lines condemned the incident, calling it a failure to protect shared heritage.
While repairs are underway, heritage activists are urging authorities to enhance protection for the country’s historic landmarks to prevent such acts in the future.
