Agartala, June 14: Widespread outrage has erupted in Tripura’s capital Agartala following the attack and vandalism carried out by religious extremists at the historic ‘Kacharibari’—the ancestral zamindari home of Rabindranath Tagore —in Shahzadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh.
Rabindranath Tagore is not just a pride of India but also of Bangladesh. In response to the incident, BJP Tripura state president and MP Rajib Bhattacharjee had called for a protest here on Saturday.
The protest rally started from Orient Chowmuhani and passed through various streets of the capital before concluding at Border Golchakkar area where police stopped them from further proceeding towards the integrated check post with Bangladesh.
Participants held placards condemning and denouncing the barbaric act.
Former Minister and present MLA Bhagaban Chandra Das strongly condemned the attack and demanded immediate action against the culprits.
He also criticized the interim government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Mohammed Younis to stop ongoing attacks on the minority Hindu community.
The Kacharibari in Shahzadpur is part of Tagore’s ancestral property where he spent a significant part of his life managing his family zamindari estate.
It was here that Tagore penned some of his timeless literary masterpieces, including Chokher Bali, Chaturanga, and Ghare Baire. Therefore, this house is not merely a residence of a literary figure but a cultural and historical monument for both sides of Bengal.
The heinous and disgraceful attack has drawn condemnation from all sections of society. Artists, writers, and intellectuals have also raised their voices, describing the incident as a blow not only to Tagore’s legacy but to global literature, culture, and humanity.
Following the unrest and vandalism, Bangladeshi authorities have temporarily restricted public entry to the premises. However, serious concerns have been raised as to why there was no basic security arrangement for the home of a world-renowned Nobel laureate. Questions remain over the police and administration’s role as the mob carried out the destruction.
Although the Bangladesh government has set up an investigation committee, reportedly no arrests have been made yet.
Meantime, Tipra Motha party founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma also condemned the act.
He said that under the present regime in Bangladesh the statue of founder father of that nation Sheikh Mujeeb, MBB library in Comilla, and now the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore has been vandalized.
Debbarma said that Tagore has not only composed the national anthem of India but also Bangladesh.
He said that the nation which cannot honour its legends, founders and heros, how can one expect that they will honor India, this revealed that today there is massive rise in fundamentalism and intolerance in Bangladesh.
Debbarma said that as he raised his voice against growing intolerance and fundamentalist in India, similarly he is raising his concerns and voice against the same in Bangladesh.
He also appealed everyone to raise against what is happening in Bangladesh today.
