TDS Desk:

The recent attack and vandalism of the auditorium of Rabindra Kacharibari in Shahzadpur municipality area of Sirajganj district stemmed from a dispute over parking tickets, not for any communal or political reasons, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs said on Friday amid criticism.

Describing the Kachari Bari as a protected heritage of the Bangladesh government, the ministry in a statement said, “Every year, thousands of visitors from home and abroad come to visit the place associated with the memory of poet Rabindranath Tagore. On 8 June, a scuffle and fight broke out between the employee in charge of Shahjadpur Rabindra Kachari Bari and a visitor due to a misunderstanding and argument over a parking ticket.”

“In the incident, allegations were also found against Habibur Rahman, the custodian of the Archaeology Department, for beating and detaining a visitor named Shahnewaz. While the investigation was underway, some local people formed a human chain on behalf of the said visitor Shahnewaz on 10 June,” the ministry statement adds.

The protesters demanded punishment for Habibur Rahman and other responsible employees. “The mob, enraged by the human chain, entered the Kachari Bari, mainly with the intention of beating up the Kachari Bari employees. At that time, several employees working at the Rabindra Kachari Bari were injured.”

The ministry further stated that two investigation committees have been formed on behalf of the district administration and the Department of Archaeology regarding this matter. The investigation committee will submit the investigation report within five days.

A case has also been filed on behalf of the Department of Archaeology, in which the police have arrested five people. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

“Currently, the security of the Kachari Bari has been bolstered. As usual, the Kachari Bari has been open from Friday morning, with the help of the administration and local people. No signs associated with Rabindra’s memory have been destroyed.

“There is no communal or political motive behind this attack other than personal conflict. Nothing degrading to the honour or dignity of Rabindranath Tagore has happened,” says the ministry.

The ministry noted that recently, Bangladesh celebrated the 164th birth anniversary of the poet Rabindranath Tagore on 25 Baishakh nationally with due dignity and pomp in Shilaidaha, Kushtia, Shahjadpur, Sirajganj and Patisar, Naogaon.

The cultural ministry’s clarification comes amid heavy criticism from India over the attack on Rabindranath’s ancestral home.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs yesterday said the attack was part of a “broad pattern” of assaults on the pluralist culture of Bangladesh.

“We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8, 2025. The home, historically called Rabindra Kachharibari, is located in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and teachings that the Nobel Laureate espoused in Bangladesh,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the ministry, said at the weekly briefing.

Jaiswal further said, “The attack falls in the broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance, and eviscerate the syncretic culture and the cultural legacy of Bangladesh.”

He urged the Bangladeshi authorities to rein in extremist elements and “take strict action against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents that sadly have become a repetitive feature”.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress and BJP strongly condemned the vandalism, calling it an attack on Bengali heritage.

In a statement, the Trinamool Congress said, “We strongly condemn the vandalism of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Bangladesh’s Sirajganj district. Gurudev is a symbol of Bengal’s cultural heritage and a global icon of literature and humanism.

“Such acts of disrespect are an affront to every Bengali’s identity and pride. We urge the Central Government to take cognizance and initiate bilateral dialogue to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. Our icons are not collateral damage for mob fury.”

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the incident, calling it “shameful” and “outrageous.”