The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has clarified that the recent incident at Rabindra Kachari Bari in Sirajganj stemmed from an altercation between two visitors and the caretaker of the historic property.
“Attention of the Government of Bangladesh has been drawn to a reported incident in the government-owned property related to the revered Bengali Nobel laureate, poet Rabindranath Tagore, in the district of Sirajganj in Bangladesh. The incident centered around an altercation between two visitors and the Caretaker of the property a few days back which is managed by the Department of Archaeology of the Government,” the official statement said.
The Ministry confirmed that a criminal case was filed on June 10 with the local police and that two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Additionally, the district administration has set up a local inquiry board to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“Following the incident, a criminal case had already been filed with the local Police on 10th June. Two persons had also been arrested in this connection. A local inquiry board has also been formed by the District administration. Appropriate legal actions are being taken by the local administration,” the statement added.
The government strongly emphasized that there is no room for misinterpretation or divisive narratives regarding the incident, reaffirming the nation’s deep respect for Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy.
“The people and the Government of Bangladesh hold Poet Rabindranath Tagore in the highest of esteem and his contribution to our language, literature and culture is deeply revered. The Government and the people of Bangladesh would continue to cherish his contributions and would like to reiterate that in the Bangladesh national and cultural space there is no scope for any divisive and motivated attempt to foment controversy on the subject,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cultural Ministry also released a statement on Friday, confirming that two investigation committees had been formed to probe the matter.
“On June 8, a fight and assault occurred between an employee on duty at Shahjadpur Rabindra Kacharibari and a visitor due to a misunderstanding and argument over a parking ticket,” the Cultural Ministry stated.
“Rabindra Kachari Bari, Shahjadpur, Sirajgonj is a protected monument by the Bangladesh government. Every year, thousands of visitors from home and abroad come to visit the place associated with the poet’s memory,” it added.