Dhaka/New Delhi: India on Thursday strongly condemned the vandalism of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore — historically known as the Rabindra Kachharibari — located in the Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The Indian government called on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration in Bangladesh to take strict action against the extremist elements responsible for the incident.

“We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8, 2025. The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and the teachings that the Nobel laureate espoused in Bangladesh. The attack falls in a broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance and eviscerate the synchronic culture and cultural legacy of Bangladesh,” said Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during the weekly media briefing.

“We urge the interim government to rein in the terrorists and take strict action against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents that sadly have become a repetitive feature,” he added.

The MEA further reiterated India’s intent to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with its South Asian neighbour.

“Our approach to engagement with Bangladesh and our ties with the country are well known. I have stated this from this podium several times. We seek a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one that is anchored in the aspirations of the people of both countries,” said Jaiswal.

According to reports in the Bangladeshi media, a mob of 50–60 individuals broke into the Rabindra Kachharibari, which also serves as a memorial museum, and vandalised the auditorium and custodian’s office, causing significant damage to the historic structure.

“There were visitors at the site who panicked due to the sudden attack. We took shelter during the attack and informed police immediately,” The Daily Star quoted Habibur Rahman, custodian of the Kachharibari, as saying.

One of the visitors, Enamul Haque, who had arrived with his family, condemned the incident. “Criminal activities at a historic site like Shahzadpur Rabindra Kachharibari are unacceptable,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the Officer-in-Charge of Shahzadpur Police Station stated, “A complaint was lodged earlier. We are investigating the matter.”

The incident was also raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, during his speech at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Kolkata on Wednesday.

"The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, where a mob led by BNP and Chhatra Shibir activists vandalised the historic Rabindra Kachari Bari. This shameful and utterly disgraceful act of destruction targetted a site that embodies Bengal’s cultural soul and Tagore’s universal message of humanity. Windows shattered, furniture ruined, and a Global Icon’s memory insulted," he posted on X.  | IANS