Latest news with #BangladeshDepartmentofArchaeology
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Don't demolish, we'll help': India asks Bangladesh to ‘reconsider' razing Satyajit Ray's ancestral home
In its statement, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed 'profound regret' over these reports. The statement followed local reports Tuesday that said that the ancestral house of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, was being demolished in Bangladesh. New Delhi: India has asked Bangladesh to reconsider its decision to demolish the ancestral home of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, offering assistance to preserve the structure and convert it into a museum that would honour the shared cultural heritage of the two nations. 'Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh,' the ministry said. 'India would be willing to extend full cooperation toward preserving the structure as a museum of literature and shared cultural values,' the statement added. The destruction of the Ray residence has drawn criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well, who called the move 'extremely distressing' and appealed to both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments to protect the legacy of the Ray family. 'This news is deeply distressing. The Ray family has been one of the foremost torchbearers of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury stands as a towering figure of Bengal's renaissance, and this house is inextricably linked to our cultural heritage,' Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X. She also called upon the Muhammad Yunus-led government in Bangladesh, as well as all 'conscientious' citizens of the country, to take immediate steps to preserve the historic home. Additionally, Banerjee urged the Indian government to actively intervene in the matter to help safeguard this invaluable piece of shared heritage. The two-story home, located along Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in Mymensingh, had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect. Constructed over a century ago by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, the property later served as the local Shishu Academy, a government-run center for children's development. Activities at the academy reportedly stopped a decade ago when the building was deemed unsafe, with officials opting to rent a different space, according to local reports. According to the Bangladesh Department of Archaeology, the house was constructed over a century ago. Following the 1947 Partition, the property came under the ownership of the government. Despite appeals from historians, poets, and local residents, officials have proceeded with the demolition, citing structural concerns and safety risks to children. However, local poets and activists argue the historical value of the building has been systematically overlooked. 'The house remained in a sorry state for years, with cracks forming on its roof, yet the authorities never cared about the rich history these old buildings hold,' poet Shamim Ashraf, was quoted saying in The Daily Star. The incident comes at a time when Bangladesh has seen a noticeable deterioration in law and order. India's appeal follows mounting concern in India and Bangladesh over recent acts of violence and neglect targeting heritage sites linked to the region's pluralist history. Last month, a mob vandalised the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Sirajganj, Bangladesh. New Delhi called the act part of a 'broad pattern' of assaults on the country's syncretic cultural identity. 'The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and teachings that the Nobel Laureate espoused in Bangladesh,' Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, had said. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Bangladesh scrap trader's lynching: Renewed call for polls as parties slam 'extortion-driven politics'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM Mamata urges Bangladesh Govt to protect ancestral home of Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh
Raising concerns about the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's family being demolished in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) appealed to the Government of Bangladesh to protect this heritage home. Observing that the Ray family is a custodian and carrier of Bengal's cultural heritage, Ms. Banerjee also requested the Indian government to also look into this matter. The West Bengal Chief Minister noted that the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's family, which is closely associated with his grandfather, the renowned writer and editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, is apparently being demolished. 'The demolition work had reportedly begun. This news is extremely saddening,' she said, adding that Upendrakishore was a pillar of Bengal's Renaissance. Abandoned for 10 years According to the Bangladesh Department of Archaeology, the house was built more than a century ago. After the partition of 1947, the property came under government ownership. Media reports in Bangladesh pointed out that the house has been left abandoned for ten years and a 'Shishu Academy' will be constructed in the place of the building. Last month, a political row erupted in West Bengal over the attack on an ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore at Sirajganj in Bangladesh, with both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) highlighting the issue. West Bengal Chief Minister on June 12 wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him 'take up the matter very strongly with the neighbouring country's government, so that no stone is left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act'.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Bangladesh Government To Demolish Satyajit Ray's Ancestral Home In Dhaka, Mamata Banerjee Seeks Centre's Intervention
Dhaka: Eminent filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Dhaka is being demolished by Bangladeshi authorities, said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday. The century-old property in Dhaka's Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road belonged to Ray's grandfather, the renowned litterateur Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury. Citing local media reports, Banerjee said that demolition work on the historic property has already begun. "This news is extremely distressing. The Ray family is one of the foremost bearers and carriers of Bengali culture. Upendra Kishore is a pillar of Bengal's renaissance. Therefore, I believe this house is intricately tied to the cultural history of Bengal," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. She also appealed to the Mohammad Yunus government in Bangladesh, and all the conscientious people of that country, to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house." Banerjee also urged the Indian government to intervene in the matter. খবরে প্রকাশ যে, বাংলাদেশের ময়মনসিংহ শহরে সত্যজিৎ রায়ের ঠাকুরদা, স্বয়ং স্বনামধন্য সাহিত্যিক-সম্পাদক উপেন্দ্রকিশোর রায়চৌধুরীর স্মৃতিজড়িত তাঁদের পৈতৃক বাড়িটি নাকি ভেঙে ফেলা হচ্ছে। ভাঙার কাজ শুরু হয়ে গিয়েছিল বলে খবর প্রকাশিত। এই সংবাদ অত্যন্ত দুঃখের। রায় পরিবার বাংলার… — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 15, 2025 Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury's house-- a prominent archaeological landmark-- was formerly used as the Mymensingh Children's Academy but had reportedly fallen into disrepair after years of neglect by the authorities. It's being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure," according to Bangladeshi publication Daily Star. According to the Bangladesh Department of Archaeology, the house was built more than a century ago. After the partition of 1947, the property came under government ownership. "The house has been left abandoned for 10 years. Shishu Academy activities have been operating from a rented space," said Md Mehedi Zaman, Dhaka's Children Affairs Officer, told Daily Star. A semi-concrete building with several rooms will be built to start academy activities, he said, adding that the demolition is being carried out with necessary approvals. When asked why such a historically significant building was being demolished, the official said the building posed a serious risk for children, when they gather at the compound.
