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11 June, 2025 : The historic Kachari Bari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, associated with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has been closed to visitors indefinitely following vandalism at its auditorium. Authorities have formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
Habibur Rahman, the custodian of Kachari Bari, confirmed that the decision to restrict visitor access was made due to unavoidable circumstances, with the matter under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology. The incident traces back to June 8, when a visitor named Shahnewaz, accompanied by his family, got into an altercation with a staff member over motorcycle parking. The dispute escalated into physical violence, with allegations that the visitor was detained and assaulted inside the auditorium.
In response, local residents held a human chain protest on Tuesday, during which an agitated crowd entered the Kachari Bari and vandalized the auditorium’s doors and windows. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across the country, with people from various walks of life demanding action against those responsible via social media.
Shahjadpur Upazila Executive Officer Md. Kamruzzaman stated that a case has been filed by the custodian, Habibur Rahman, against identified individuals based on CCTV footage. A three-member investigation committee, led by Sheikh Kamal Hossain, Deputy Director (Administration) of the Department of Archaeology, has been formed to probe the incident. The committee head visited the site on Wednesday for inspection.
AI/MR
