Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) -An attack on the ancestral residence of Nobel laureate and literary icon Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh has drawn strong condemnation from Sanskar Bharati West Bengal, a prominent cultural organization. The group has denounced the incident as a direct assault on Tagore’s legacy, his philosophy, and the collective cultural identity of Bengali society.

In a statement released on Friday, Sanskar Bharati alleged that a frenzied mob vandalized the historic Tagore family mansion located in Shahzadpur, Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The organization described the act as a “barbaric and deplorable crime”, emphasizing that it was not merely an attack on a building, but on the universal ideals and human values embodied by Tagore.

Dr. Swarup Prasad Ghosh, President, and Tilak Sengupta, General Secretary of Sanskar Bharati West Bengal, issued a joint statement saying:

“This mansion is not just a heritage structure—it is a living symbol of Bengal’s cultural spirit. Attacking it is equivalent to insulting Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the entire Tagore lineage, and the dignity of the broader Bengali community.”

According to historical accounts, the Shahzadpur estate was acquired by Tagore’s grandfather, Dwarkanath Tagore, in 1840. Rabindranath himself spent extended periods at the residence, using it as a key retreat for writing and reflection. The two-storey mansion, showcasing Indo-European architecture, remains one of the most notable tourist sites in the region.

Sanskar Bharati has urged the Government of Bangladesh to arrest those responsible for the vandalism without delay. The group also demanded urgent restoration of the site and adequate security arrangements to ensure the protection of this culturally significant landmark.

The organization stressed that this issue goes beyond borders.

“It is not just a matter of Bangladesh—it affects the emotional and cultural sentiments of all Bengali-speaking people across the globe,” the statement noted.

Sanskar Bharati concluded by warning that such incidents not only damage cultural heritage but also undermine the shared legacy between India and Bangladesh. It called for both nations to uphold their moral and historical responsibility to preserve and protect sites of mutual significance.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh