BNP activists vandalize Rabindra Kacharibari

District Correspondent

At the heritage site Rabindra Kacharibari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, agitated BNP activists vandalized the auditorium and premises of the Kacharibari in protest against the alleged harassment of a visitor.

In protest of the incident that occurred two days ago, a human chain and protest rally were held on Tuesday, June 10. Later, the activists entered the Kacharibari with the procession and vandalized the custodian’s office and the auditorium extensively.

During this time, gardener Md. Sirajul Islam was severely beaten.

It has been learned that last Sunday afternoon, a BNP activist named Shahnewaz visited Rabindra Kacharibari with his wife and nephew. At that time, they purchased tickets. Although they paid for motorcycle parking, the authorities did not provide a token. When they were leaving after touring the Kacharibari, the gate staff asked for the parking token. Shahnewaz then informed them that no separate ticket had been given for parking. This led to an argument, which eventually turned into a physical altercation.

Upon receiving the news, the custodian of the Kacharibari, Habibur Rahman, along with other staff, arrived and assaulted Shahnewaz. Later, they detained him in the office and subjected him to physical abuse. Upon hearing the news, Shahnewaz’s political guardians from the BNP, along with party activists, rescued him. In connection with the incident, BNP activist Shahnewaz filed a written complaint against the custodian and other staff at the police station.

Meanwhile, in protest of the assault on the visitor, BNP activists in Shahjadpur organized a human chain and demonstration under the banner of “general public” today. Later, they marched to the Kacharibari auditorium and vandalized it.

Upon receiving the news, police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Later, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mushfiqur Rahman inspected the site.

Family members stated that expatriate Shahnewaz had come home on vacation and visited the Kacharibari with his wife. They described the detention and torture over a trivial matter as disgraceful and demanded exemplary punishment after a fair investigation.

Meanwhile, while describing the June 8 incident as unfortunate, Shahjadpur Kacharibari custodian Habibur Rahman declined to comment on the vandalism.

Shahjadpur Police Station’s acting officer-in-charge (OC) Aslam Ali said, “The incident is under investigation. Legal action will be taken after the investigation.”

It is worth noting that Rabindra Kacharibari is located in Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj. The two-story building, constructed in Indo-European architectural style, is now known as the Rabindra Smriti Museum. In 1840, the zamindari of Shahjadpur was purchased by poet Rabindranath Tagore’s grandfather, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore. Along with the zamindari, the Kacharibari also came under their ownership. Rabindranath occasionally visited this house to oversee the zamindari. In 1969, the Department of Archaeology declared the building a protected heritage site.