- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A mob vandalised the ancestral residence of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district on Tuesday, prompting outrage and swift administrative action. The historic Rabindra Kachharibari, also known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum, located in Shahzadpur, was attacked following an altercation between museum staff and a visitor, according to local media reports.
The incident reportedly began when a visitor, accompanied by his family, arrived at the museum and got into a dispute with staff over a motorcycle parking fee. The situation quickly escalated when the visitor was allegedly confined in an office room and physically assaulted by museum personnel. News of the altercation spread rapidly, triggering mob violence that led to damage at the culturally significant site.
Tagore's Legacy Under Threat
Rabindra Kachharibari is a heritage site where Tagore, during his stays, composed many of his literary masterpieces. The two-storey structure, located about 125 km from the capital Dhaka, was built by Tagore’s grandfather, Dwarkanath Tagore, in 1840 and later transformed into a museum to honour the poet’s legacy.
According to reports, the vandalising mob included members allegedly affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam. Eyewitnesses said the attackers also shouted slogans against Tagore, adding a troubling political and ideological dimension to the incident.
Police Inaction Raises Concerns
Police from Shahzadpur station arrived at the scene, but no immediate action was taken against the perpetrators. Station in-charge Aslam Ali confirmed that the matter is under investigation, but no formal First Information Report (FIR) has been filed so far. The mob remained in the area till evening, raising concerns over law enforcement’s failure to restore order promptly.
The Department of Archaeology has closed public access to the museum temporarily and has constituted a three-member committee to probe the incident. As per directives, the committee is expected to submit its findings within five working days. The state-run BSS news agency confirmed the formation of the panel.
Political Unrest Adds To Tensions
The incident comes amid growing protests against the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. Discontent among opposition parties, government employees, teachers, and even the military is intensifying. In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed an indefinite ban on all public gatherings in the capital's central areas. Yunus’s official residence, Jamuna Guest House, has been sealed off amid ongoing protests.
