BJP slams Bangladesh government over vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday strongly condemned the recent attack on Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home, ‘Kachhari Bari’, in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, calling it a “pre-planned and politically motivated” act. BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra pointed to radical groups Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam for orchestrating the attack, accusing the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of inaction.

The incident occurred on June 10 following a June 8 scuffle between a museum official and a visitor over a motorcycle parking fee, which allegedly escalated into physical assault. Outraged locals stormed the site, vandalised parts of the Rabindra Memorial Museum and assaulted staff. Authorities have filed a case against over 50 individuals, and a committee is investigating.

Patra said the attack on Tagore’s home was symbolic and designed to send a global message against cultural harmony. He appealed to the international community to condemn the act, calling Tagore “a global cultural figure, not just an Indian icon.”

He also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for remaining silent, alleging that political appeasement and fear of voter backlash influenced her inaction. “TMC’s appeasement politics has a shelf life,” Patra warned, claiming BJP would stand firm in defending cultural pride and global heritage.