Bangladesh Suspends Demolition Of Satyajit Ray’s Heritage Home Following Indian Intervention

The Bangladesh government has halted the demolition of the ancestral home of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, located in Mymensingh city.

The decision comes after India’s intervention and strong appeals from West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who urged the Indian central government to engage with Dhaka to preserve the site.

The property in question belonged to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Satyajit Ray’s grandfather and a celebrated figure in Bengali children’s literature and the Bengal Renaissance.

The house, now dilapidated with only a few walls remaining, holds immense cultural value as a symbol of Bengal’s rich literary and artistic heritage.

It has long been regarded as a monument reflecting the shared history and cultural ties between India and Bangladesh.

Appeal by Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the matter.

She described reports of the demolition as ‘extremely distressing’ and highlighted the Ray family’s contribution to Bengali culture.

In a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Banerjee appealed to the Bangladesh government and concerned citizens to preserve the ancestral home, underscoring its importance in Bengal’s cultural history.

She urged, “The Ray family is one of the foremost bearers and carriers of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore is a pillar of Bengal’s renaissance. Therefore, I believe this house is intricately tied to the cultural history of Bengal. I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house. The Indian government should pay attention to this matter.”

Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, the Union Ministry of External Affairs expressed regret over the planned demolition.

The ministry noted the significance of the property, currently owned by the Government of Bangladesh but in a state of disrepair.

The statement urged authorities to reconsider the demolition and called for repairing and reconstructing the building as a museum dedicated to literature and as a symbol of the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh.

“The Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose,” the ministry added, signalling a willingness to collaborate with Bangladesh to safeguard this historic site.

Bangladesh Authorities’ Position

Prior to halting demolition, Bangladeshi officials had cited safety concerns about the deteriorated structure.

They proposed replacing the ancestral home with a new concrete building to serve as a cultural centre.

However, following India’s appeal and public attention on the matter, Bangladesh has now formed a panel to explore restoration options that respect the original heritage.

The suspension of the demolition marks a significant step towards preserving a vital link to Bengal’s literary and cultural history.

The move also exemplifies the growing cultural cooperation between India and Bangladesh, reflecting shared heritage and mutual respect.

With authorities actively planning the reconstruction, optimism is growing that they will soon restore Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home, transforming it into a beacon of cultural pride and a centre for literary preservation for generations to come.

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