After India Raises Concerns, Bangladesh Stops Demolition Of Satyajit Ray's Ancestral House

The planned demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral residence in Mymensingh in Bangladesh has been put on hold after the Indian government raised concerns.

A committee has been constituted to explore the possibility of reconstructing the historic house, according to a report in NDTV. The property in question once belonged to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a prominent Bengali writer and grandfather of Satyajit Ray.

Responding to the reports of demolition, India's Ministry of External Affairs had earlier issued a statement: "We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished.

The property, presently owned by the Government of Bangladesh, is in a state of disrepair. 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 Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose."

Why Bangladesh Wants To Demolish Ray's House?

Bangladeshi authorities had earlier cited safety concerns as the reason behind their decision, proposing to replace the crumbling structure with a new concrete building intended to function as a cultural center. They reportedly described the sharp reactions from across the border as stemming from a "misunderstanding".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also weighed in on the situation, calling the reports of demolition "extremely distressing". "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 the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house. The Indian government should pay attention to this matter," she stated in a post on X.

The development came at a time when the ties between India and Bangladesh had strained. Tensions between the two countries escalated after the fall of the Awami League government last year, following which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India. A caretaker administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has since assumed control in Dhaka.