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News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Rabindranath Tagore Has No Place In ‘New' Bangladesh
Last Updated: Rabindranath Tagore's association with East Bengal was a deeply intertwined one and it can hardly be eradicated The vandalisation of the historic Rabindra Kachharibari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, last week proves that Mohammed Yunus's interim regime and its functioning has entrapped Bangladesh like a curse. Since August 2024, there has been a concerted attempt to erase and decimate cultural and intellectual symbols that had sustained the struggle for identity and cultural assertion in East Bengal during the dark days of West Pakistan's occupation. The symbols of Bangladesh's Liberation War and of its creation were attacked, leaving Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's Dhanmondi House gutted and bulldozed and the memorials to the Liberation War vandalised. Similarly, the attack on the Rabindra Kachharibari Museum in Sirajganj is a clear assault on those cultural symbols and icons that have inspired, sustained and defined Bangladesh's aspiration to remain distinct from the sapping tentacles of Pakistan and its proxies who wish to erase, beyond redemption, Bangladesh's cultural and linguistic identity and core. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, till the other day, was the tallest cultural icon of Bangladesh. In a sense, he still continues to be an icon, for the beleaguered and imprisoned intelligentsia of that country. For generations his poems, songs, essays and thoughts have sustained the East Bengali intelligentsia. He stood as a perennial source of solace in the dark days of the struggle against a marauding West Pakistani dispensation which was determined to erase the Bengali identity and texture in East Pakistan. That unfinished agenda of Pakistan, stymied by the Liberation War and the formation of Bangladesh, has now been set rolling. Pakistan's proxies such as the Jamaat, Hefazat-e-Islam and other lesser-known radical outfits, propping up the Yunus regime, are in overdrive now to destroy Bangladesh's cultural symbols and icons. The Bangladesh that these forces envisage will be dark and monotonous. It will be shorn of colours, devoid of elevating thoughts and emotions, bereft of all music which has flowed out of the soil of Bengal, representing her soul and its deeper aspirations. They want a Bangladesh in which Tagore will be an outcast, fit to be dumped and relegated as haram. The students who organised and participated in the August protest and insisted that they represented a 'new" Bangladesh, have been complicit in this demolition of Bangladesh's cultural symbols. Realising that their path to survival is through the creation of a political identity and outfit, these youth leaders have joined hands with radicals in order to gain and maintain a political space. An assault on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's persona and legacy is thus the surest way to gain political space and legitimacy in Bangladesh today. The attack on the Rabindra Kachharibari has been passed off as a spontaneous reaction to a local dispute and yet the manner in which an organised and armed mob invaded the sacred premises, hardly lends credence to that alibi. It was as if the vandals were lying ready, awaiting an opportunity to attack the Museum. Prof Yunus's Bengali Nobel Laureate friends and admirers, led by Prof Amartya Sen and Prof Abhijit Banerjee, or famous Bengali writers like Amitava Ghosh, ought to educate him on the imperative of protecting Tagore's legacy in Bangladesh. Some of them as self-styled 'global citizens", have been conspicuously silent on the happenings in Bangladesh. Their silence on attacks such as these, their passivity when Hindus were being bullied and assaulted under the Yunus's regime's watch, is especially astounding and stunning. Rabindranath Tagore's association with East Bengal was a deeply intertwined one and it can hardly be eradicated. Despite seeing it as a task that stood completely opposite to his nature, Tagore deftly managed their landed properties, primarily in East Bengal, that fell to his lot to handle. Some of his most enduring poems, stories and essays were composed and written while he was in East Bengal. But Tagore was no dreamy poet and rent-extracting landowner. The 'zamindar" Rabindranath Tagore was a unique personality. He stood completely apart from the genre of his time. Leading Bengali litterateur, poet and essayist of the Tagore era Pramatha Chaudhuri (1868-1946), observes that as a zamindar Tagore was as unique as he was as a poet. The welfare of the cultivators, village reform and development, improvement of local infrastructure, public health, roads, education constantly preoccupied Tagore on his sojourn in East Bengal in places like Silaidaha, Patisar, Sirajganj, places in which he had estates and houses. It was in Patisar that he put his entire Nobel Prize money of then Rs. 1 lakh to start a cooperative bank for the benefit of peasants and cultivators. His travels, stay and work as a zamindar and poet in East Bengal, span a period of nearly five decades. The vandals of Sirajganj or their ideological patrons would hardly know of this past or care for it. In their 'new Bangladesh" both Tagore and his anthem are to be exiled. In a captivating Bengali tract 'Zamindar Rabindranath," veteran journalist Amitabha Choudhuri tells us that Tagore did not go to rural Bengal with a zamindari mindset, he went there and took up the responsibility as a worker for his country's welfare, as a 'swadesh-hitaishi." The ryots were surprised to see a 'Babumoshai" who did not fit the usual image of an extractor and entertainer. Tagore came as their guardian and carer. He worked to make these ryots and those dependent on him self-reliant. He strove to awaken their inner strength – atmashakti and to make them stakeholders in the mission of enriching Bengal's unique soil. Tagore developed most of his ideas of rural development and empowerment during these years. In Shilaidaha, for instance, Choudhuri writes, he set up, in memory of his father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the Maharshi free dispensary which treated the rural poor through homeopathy, Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines. Quinine would be distributed for free and Tagore would himself treat patients at times. In Patisar, Tagore established a large hospital. The first ever health cooperative in India to be started was the one set up by Tagore in his estate in East Bengal. Writing to Pramatha Chaudhuri in 1917, Tagore observed how the hospital was catering to a large population beyond his estate and benefiting them. 'This joy rises above all my wants," Tagore wrote to Pramatha Chaudhuri. Gurudev's letters during this period describing the work in his estate, indicate, writes Amitabha Choudhuri, that Tagore worked with the aim of establishing a 'dharma-rajya" among the peasants and never calculated his losses and gains. He was pledged to their welfare alone. In every village in his estate Tagore founded a free school and in Patisar came up a minor school which later became high school. Village roads were improved, drinking water arrangements were made and the villagers were imparted training in weaving. Tagore's varied initiatives saw a visible improvement in the condition of the people. In later years Gurudev would recall the deep satisfaction that this work gave him. He kept an open house for the cultivators and peasants. His doors were never closed for them. They in turn adored and admired him. 'For one who grew up cloistered in the corners of a room, to me the experience of a village was new. But this work has given me great satisfaction; it enthused me, I acquired the joys of carving out a new path…" Gurudev wrote years later. Reams can be written on his work among the people of East Bengal. top videos View all Who knows, perhaps the Rabindra Kachharibari vandals are descendants of those same families who must have once benefited from Gurudev's benign presence and work? Who knows, perhaps Mohammed Yunus's ancestors were cultivators and ryots in Tagore's estate. Who knows, perhaps they were the recipient of his elevating vision and of his sublime action. But that memory is being forcibly erased, the possibility of it being resisted. In the 'new Bangladesh" that the self-styled August 'revolutionaries" wish to create, Rabindranath Tagore has no place. He is being driven out. The author is chairman, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, and a member of the National Executive Committee, BJP. The views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 20, 2025, 18:01 IST News opinion Opinion | Rabindranath Tagore Has No Place In 'New' Bangladesh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
13-06-2025
- The Print
5 arrested in connection with vandalism at Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh
Kachharibari is the ancestral home and revenue office of the Tagore family located in Sirajganj district. The Rabindra Kachharibari or Rabindra Memorial Museum, which was closed after the vandalism on Sunday, was reopened for visitors on Friday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. Dhaka, Jun 13 (PTI) At least five persons have been arrested in connection with the vandalisation of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh, with the authorities saying that no relics associated with the poet were damaged. Purchased by Rabindranath's grandfather Dwarakanath Tagore in 1840, the premises worked as a favourite recluse for the Nobel laureate, who wrote many of his notable literary works at this site. In a statement, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs said that no relics or artefacts associated with Rabindranath Tagore's memory were damaged during the incident when an altercation broke out between an employee on duty and a visitor over a parking ticket, the paper said. Following the incident, a mob attacked and vandalised the auditorium of the Kachharibari and beat a director of the institution. The statement said the district administration and the Department of Archaeology had each formed separate investigation committees, and law enforcement authorities arrested five people in connection with the incident. It said the authorities continued their efforts to apprehend others involved. 'Rabindra Kachharibari has been reopened to visitors from Friday,' the statement said, highlighting that the nobel laureate's ancestral home was a protected archaeological site under the Bangladesh government. It said every year, thousands of visitors from home and abroad visit the site to pay tribute to the memory of the great poet. Security measures at Rabindra Kachharibari have been reinforced, it said. The statement also highlighted that the 164th birth anniversary of the poet was recently celebrated with due reverence and grandeur on the 25th Baisakh at Shilaidaha (Kushtia), Shahjadpur (Sirajganj), and Patisar (Naogaon). India on Thursday strongly condemned the vandalism and termed the violent attack a 'disgrace' to the memory and inclusive philosophy espoused by the poet. It urged the interim government in Bangladesh to rein in these elements and take 'strict action' against the perpetrators to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. PTI PY PY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tagore's Ancestral House vandalised in Bangladesh: Despicable, says India; Mamata asks PM to ‘build global pressure on Dhaka' to act
India on Thursday condemned the ransacking of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh by a mob, terming the violent attack a 'disgrace' to the memory and inclusive philosophy espoused by the poet. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sought his intervention for 'a strong international protest', which she said, 'would at least deter in future any attack on monuments of cultural legacies'. On Tuesday, a mob vandalised the ancestral home of Tagore at Kachharibari in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. Rabindra Kachharibari, also known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum, was the revenue office of the Tagore family where he wrote several literary works. Tagore's grandfather, Dwarkanath Tagore, had built the two-storey mansion in 1840. In Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the interim government in Bangladesh to rein in these elements and take 'strict action' against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents. 'We strongly condemn the despicable act, attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob,' the MEA spokesperson said, adding the attack falls in the 'broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance and eviscerate the syncretic cultural legacy of Bangladesh'. The Bangladesh authorities have constituted a three-member committee to investigate the incident, according to media reports in Bangladesh. In the letter to the Prime Minister, Banerjee urged him to 'take up the matter very strongly' with the Bangladesh government. 'Although untold damage has already been done, a strong international protest would at least deter any attack on monuments of cultural legacies in the future… What has been vandalised is not a mere house, but a towering fountain of creativity in our subcontinent,' she wrote. 'The incident of vandalism is not only shocking, but also unfortunate for our national pride and cultural legacy. It is a vile attack on our sensibilities, our cherished treasures, and our common nostalgia for a past when Tagore could transcend all thresholds in pursuit of his immortal creations,' she wrote. CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby called the ransacking of Tagore's ancestral home 'highly deplorable'. 'Great cultural icons shouldn't be targeted for petty interests. Tagore wrote the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh govt should act against the vandals,' Baby said. The BJP also condemned the attack, calling it 'an assault on the very soul of India's rich cultural and civilizational heritage'. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called for global denunciation of the incident targeting the legacy of the iconic Indian personality, as he described it as a 'preplanned' attack orchestrated by Islamic groups. He also targeted the West Bengal chief minister, accusing her of 'not raising the issue'. She sees infiltrators from neighbouring Bangladesh as a vote bank and has opted to keep quiet for political reasons,' he alleged. BJP leaders in poll-bound West Bengal called it 'a wake-up call for the Hindus' in the state. Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who posted a purported video of the attack, said: 'When extremist forces gain ground, they spare no one; not even a figure revered worldwide like Tagore…. This serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting our cultural heritage, especially in demographically volatile regions. When the demography changes, and a number of such elements increase, they will not hesitate to target our temples, our culture, and our way of life, as it can already be witnessed in Malda, Murshidabad, and Maheshtala.' With PTI
The Print
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Mamata writes to Modi, seeks international pressure on B'desh govt for vandalism of Tagore property
Expressing her anguish over the incident, Banerjee urged Modi to 'take up the matter very strongly with the neighbouring country's government, so that no stone is left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act'. What was damaged is not just a house but a 'towering fountain of creativity' in the subcontinent, she said in the letter. Kolkata, Jun 12 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention into the alleged vandalisation of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral mansion in Banglaesh's Sirajganj district by a mob on June 11. According to local reports, the attack on the Nobel Laureate poet's ancestral residence was a follow-up of a June 8 dispute over the parking fee for a two-wheeler between a visitor and staff member of the Rabindra Kachharibari in Sirajganj which also doubles up as the Rabindra Memorial Museum. 'Although untold damage has already been done, a strong international protest would at least deter in future any attack on monuments of cultural legacies that have withstood steadfastly all tests of time,' Banerjee wrote in the letter, while adding: Tagore is famous not only in Bengal but also in the whole world. Reports in Bangladeshi media have stated that the Department of Archeology has temporarily suspended visitor access to the building and set up a three-member committee to probe the incident. 'Tagore frequented the place repeatedly in his lifetime, and many of his finest works were conceived or written while he was there,' Banerjee stated. 'The poet's creativity was intertwined with his association with this ancestral estate of theirs in an intimate manner. What has been vandalised is not a mere house, but a towering fountain of creativity in our subcontinent,' she continued. Local reports in Bangladesh suggested that what began as a minor dispute escalated quickly after the visitor was allegedly locked inside a room and physically assaulted, sparking anger among locals. A mob later stormed inside the museum premises and ransacked the building, especially its auditorium while also allegedly assaulting the director of the institution. 'For the people of Bengal, this attack is an onslaught on the commonly held legacy of Tagore… To strike at the ancestral traditional roots of Tagore today tantamounts to striking at the roots of immortal creations of the great poet intrinsically bonding the brothers and sisters of the world,' the chief minister wrote in her letter. Located in Shahzadpur in the Rajshahi division, the Kachharibari served as the Tagore family's revenue office and residence. Purchased by Rabindranath's grandfather Dwarakanath Tagore in 1840, the premises worked as a favourite recluse for the Nobel laureate who wrote many of his notable literary works at this site. Tagore's celebrated works from the Sirajgunj Kachharibari include plays like 'Bisarjan', poetry collection 'Sonar Tori' and several shorties of 'Golpoguchho'. The BJP has already slammed the Md Yunus government alleging that the destruction was a 'preplanned attack' by radical groups, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. PTI SMY NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- NDTV
Mob Vandalises Tagore's Ancestral Home In Bangladesh Over Parking Dispute
Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home, the historic Kachharibari in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district, was vandalised by a mob following a confrontation between a visitor and a museum employee. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and temporarily closed the site to the public. According to local media reports, the unrest began when a visitor arrived at the Rabindra Kachharibari, also known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum, with his family. A dispute reportedly broke out between the visitor and staff at the entrance over a motorcycle parking fee. Tensions escalated, and the visitor was allegedly confined in an office room and physically assaulted by staff. The incident sparked local outrage. On Tuesday, residents formed a human chain in protest, which was followed by a mob storming the premises. The auditorium of the Kachharibari was vandalised, and a director of the institution was physically attacked. In response, the Department of Archaeology has formed a three-member committee to investigate the attack, according to the state-run BSS news agency. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within five working days. Speaking to reporters, Md Habibur Rahman, custodian of the Kachharibari, said the site has been temporarily closed to visitors due to 'unavoidable circumstances.' He added that the entire premises is now under official surveillance. Located in Shahzadpur, in Bangladesh's Rajshahi division, Kachharibari is both a historic residence and former revenue office of the Tagore family. Rabindranath Tagore spent considerable time at the estate, where he created many of his celebrated literary works. The mansion has since been preserved as a cultural heritage site and museum dedicated to the poet's life and legacy.
