Cultural Legacy Under Siege: Urgent Appeal to Protect Tagore's Heritage

In a fervent appeal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his immediate intervention following the alleged vandalisation of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral mansion in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.

The incident, which took place on June 11, has been described by Banerjee as an attack not just on a building but on a significant cultural heritage site, a 'towering fountain of creativity' in the region. Local reports indicate the violence stemmed from a minor dispute over parking fees, escalating rapidly when a visitor was confined and assaulted, leading to local outrage.

Banerjee's letter emphasizes the global importance of Tagore's legacy and urges Modi to take strong diplomatic steps to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly. The BJP has accused groups like Jamaat-e-Islami of orchestrating the attack, while Bangladeshi authorities are investigating the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)