Shahjadpur: The Ministry of Cultural Affairs today clarified that the recent incident at Rabindra Kacharibari in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj was not driven by political or communal motives, but rather stemmed from a personal conflict.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ministry issued a statement highlighting that Rabindra Kacharibari, a reserved antiquities asset of the Bangladesh government, attracts thousands of visitors annually from both within the country and abroad. The incident in question occurred on June 8, when a dispute over a parking ticket led to a clash between site workers and a visitor.
The ministry’s official statement detailed that the altercation involved the employee responsible for Shahjadpur Rabindra Kacharibari and a visitor, resulting from a misunderstanding and argument regarding the parking ticket. Allegations emerged against Habibur Rahman, the custodian of the archaeology department, for allegedly assaulting a visitor named Shahnewaz.
In response to the incident, local residents organized a human chain in support of Shahnewaz, demanding disciplinary action against Habibur Rahman and other department workers. The protest escalated as participants marched to Rabindra Kacharibari, forcibly entering the site and injuring several employees.
The ministry informed that two investigative committees have been established by the District Administration and Archaeology Department to examine the incident. These committees are expected to submit their reports within five days. Additionally, the Archaeology Department has filed a police case, resulting in the arrest of five individuals.
Following the incident, Rabindra Kacharibari has been reopened to the public. The ministry assured that no elements associated with Rabindranath Tagore were damaged, reaffirming that the incident was solely a personal dispute without any political or communal implications.