Ink smeared over Rabindranath graffiti in Khulna ahead of prime minister's visit, anti-Tagore posters pasted on wall
Ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Khulna, portraits of figures from history, heritage and the country's distinguished personalities had been painted on walls across the city. But unknown persons have covered the face of world poet Rabindranath Tagore's graffiti with black ink. Several anti-Rabindranath posters have also been pasted on the same wall.
The scene was noticed on Friday (6 November) morning on the railway station wall near Shib Bari Mor in the city. Local people have expressed anger over the incident.
Locals said the graffiti of historical, heritage and cultural figures was painted on various walls as part of the city's beautification ahead of the prime minister's Khulna visit. As part of that, portraits of distinguished personalities of the country were placed on the railway station wall near Shib Bari Mor, and among those portraits was one of world poet Rabindranath Tagore.
On Friday morning, however, locals found the face of Rabindranath's portrait covered in ink. Several posters against Rabindranath had also been pasted on the same wall.
Cultural activists, students and people of various professions in Khulna have expressed anger and resentment over the incident. In their view, such a hateful attack on one of the main pillars of free thought, art and Bengali culture is condemnable. Whatever the political or social motive behind it, insulting the universally revered poet in this way is not acceptable in any way.
Khulna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Lokman Hossain said: 'After getting the news, I went to the spot and saw it myself. No written or verbal complaint has been filed by any local citizen or organisation over this. However, a general diary (GD) has been filed at the police station on behalf of the police. An investigation is under way to identify the culprits.'
