**Summary:**
On August 8, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3251 regarding the vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral house ("Rabindra Kacharibari") in Bangladesh. The Government of India formally condemned the attack on June 12, 2025, as a disgrace to Tagore's memory and inclusive values, urging the interim Government of Bangladesh to take strict action to prevent recurrence.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh issued a statement indicating that two individuals were arrested in connection with the attack, and appropriate legal action was being pursued. The Government of Bangladesh also announced increased security measures for Rabindra Kacharibari.
Regarding bilateral mechanisms, the Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Bangladesh, established under the 1972 Cultural Cooperation Agreement, facilitates cooperation in cultural disciplines, including support for archaeological conservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Rabindranath Tagore: An Indian polymath, poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter.
Bangladesh: A country in South Asia that is the location of the vandalism incident and a partner in cultural exchange programs with India.
Rabindra Kacharibari: The ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh, which was vandalized.
SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about the vandalism incident.
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: The Indian government ministry responsible for India's foreign relations.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh: The Bangladesh government ministry that issued a statement regarding the arrest of individuals involved in the vandalism.
Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Bangladesh: A program instituted under the 1972 Cultural Cooperation Agreement, providing for cooperation in various cultural disciplines, including support for archaeological conservation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO– 3251
ANSWERED ON – 08/08/2025
VANDALISM OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE’S ANCESTRAL HOUSE
IN BANGLADESH
3251. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formally lodged a diplomatic protest
with the Government of Bangladesh over the vandalism of Rabindra
Kacharibari, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether assurances have been received from the government of
Bangladesh regarding the security of the Kacharibari, if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether there have been any arrests made by the Bangladesh
government regarding the vandalism, if so, the details thereof;
(d) the actions taken/proposed to be taken by the Government regarding
the vandalism; and
(e) whether any bilateral mechanisms exist between India and
Bangladesh on joint protection and conservation of shared cultural
heritage in Bangladesh, if so, the details thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) On 12 June 2025, the Government of India strongly condemned the
despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore, underlining that the violent act was a disgrace to
the memory and the inclusive values espoused by Gurudev Tagore. India
urged the interim Government of Bangladesh to take strict action and
prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, thereafter
issued a statement indicating that two persons were arrested in
connection to the attack and that appropriate legal action was being
undertaken. Government of Bangladesh has also announced measures to
increase the security of Rabindra Kacharibari.
(e) The Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Bangladesh,
instituted under the framework of the 1972 Cultural Cooperation
Agreement, provides for cooperation under various cultural disciplines,
including support for archaeological conservation.
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