Vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore's Mural Sparks Outrage in Bangladesh
Disturbing Act of Vandalism
File image shows Rabindranath Tagore's mural defaced near Khulna railway station in Bangladesh(Photo: @Sharierkhan1/X)
Dhaka, Nov 7: A mural of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, has been vandalized at the Khulna Railway Station in Bangladesh, with reports indicating that it was smeared with black ink. This act of defacement has sparked significant outrage among the local community.
Local cultural activists suspect that an organized group may be behind this incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
Lokman Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station, confirmed the incident, stating that police were informed on Friday afternoon and have since launched an investigation. He noted that the closure of businesses along the road made it challenging to identify the perpetrators.
According to reports, the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) had commissioned the murals in anticipation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's upcoming visit. These murals celebrated various aspects of the region, including the 2024 July uprising, the Sundarbans, the historic Sixty Dome Mosque, and the jute industry, while also honoring notable figures like Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The wall adjacent to Old Jessore Road featured portraits of several prominent personalities, including Fakir Lalon Shah, artist SM Sultan, and former leaders Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman. However, Tagore's portrait was the only one found vandalized.
KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju expressed his dismay, stating that the act of defacing the mural reflects a narrow-minded and sick mentality.
Cultural activist Shariful Islam Salim, who is also the general secretary of Nattyalok, suggested that this incident is part of a larger pattern of vandalism targeting cultural icons. He emphasized the need to identify and hold accountable those responsible, warning that such actions could extend to other revered figures.
Salim highlighted the importance of Tagore's contributions to literature and philosophy, which have influenced generations in promoting free thought and secularism. He urged the public to unite against such disgraceful acts.
This incident follows a similar act of vandalism that occurred nearly a month ago, when a graffiti mural of Tagore outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka was also defaced.
Last month, a group of 37 prominent Bangladeshi citizens expressed their serious concerns regarding the defacement of Tagore's mural in Dhaka, warning that such incidents could embolden religious extremists and exacerbate communal tensions in the country.
They recalled how Tagore was politically portrayed as anti-Muslim by Pakistani rulers in the 1960s, drawing parallels to the recent vandalism. The statement emphasized that language, literature, art, and culture are shared heritage that should not be divided by religious or ideological differences.