The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura, along with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Member of Parliament Biplab Kumar Deb, has strongly condemned the recent attack on the ancestral residence of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The leaders called the incident a grave assault on shared cultural heritage and demanded immediate and strict action against those responsible. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, in a strongly worded statement, described the vandalism at Tagore’s historic home as a “matter of national shame”. He emphasized that Rabindranath Tagore, the revered poet and composer of the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh, represents a cultural bridge between the two countries. “This shameful act is not just a crime against property but an insult to the legacy of a man who stood for harmony and cultural unity,” Dr. Saha stated. “The caretaker government of Bangladesh must ensure that the perpetrators face exemplary punishment.” Former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb echoed these sentiments, expressing deep sorrow over the desecration of “Kacharibari”, Tagore’s ancestral home, now functioning as the Rabindra Museum.
“Tagore, or Rabi Thakur, is a symbol of emotion, unity, and cultural pride across South Asia. An attack on his home is a direct attack on the soul of both nations,” Deb said. “This incident marks a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s cultural history, and reflects a worrying rise in intolerance and anti-minority sentiments.” He further noted that such incidents continue to tarnish Bangladesh’s global image and may lead to long-term cultural and moral erosion if not addressed with seriousness. Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath also condemned the attack and warned of the growing threat of cultural extremism in the region. He expressed concern that such incidents risk setting a dangerous precedent and called for regional unity to protect heritage sites. Meanwhile, the Tripura Pradesh BJP had planned to stage a protest rally in Agartala to voice their outrage. However, the rally was postponed due to the tragic Air India flight crash that occurred on the same day.
“This attack was not spontaneous. It was pre-planned, and we were ready to protest. But out of respect for the victims of the air crash, we chose to defer the rally,” said Amit Rakshit, BJP state general secretary. Rakshit further accused the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammad Yunus, of adopting a series of measures that are “increasingly anti-India” in nature.“There is a pattern of provocation, and this attack on Kabiguru’s home is part of a larger conspiracy targeting our cultural icons and values,” he added.
