India has urged Bangladesh to convert the property into a literary museum, offering support for its restoration, as voices from Bengal call to protect the legacy of the Ray family.
PC Bureau
JULY 16, 2025: Bangladesh has paused the demolition of the ancestral house of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, following mounting criticism from India and cultural stakeholders across both nations. The Bangladeshi government has now formed a committee to explore options for restoring and preserving the historic structure, once home to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Ray’s grandfather and a prominent figure of the Bengali literary renaissance.
The move comes after India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a formal statement expressing “profound regret” over the planned demolition of a property that symbolizes the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh.
“The property, currently under the ownership of the Bangladeshi government, has fallen into disrepair,” the statement noted. “Considering its historical significance, we urge a reconsideration of the demolition. We propose that it be restored and developed into a museum of literature and culture. The Government of India is prepared to offer full support and cooperation in this regard.”
Legendary Film Maker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home is demolished in Bangladesh by “Nobel Peace Prize Winner” Md Yunus administration… pic.twitter.com/CSjArEpbxB
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) July 16, 2025
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also weighed in, describing the situation as “extremely distressing.” In a post on social media platform X, she wrote: “The Ray family represents the very soul of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore was a pillar of the Bengal renaissance. His Mymensingh home is more than a building—it is a piece of our collective memory. I appeal to the government of Bangladesh and its people to preserve this cultural gem.”
Bangladeshi officials had initially cited safety concerns to justify tearing down the decaying structure and replacing it with a modern cultural centre. However, following the backlash, officials suggested the response from India might stem from a “misunderstanding.”
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The controversy comes amid a period of strained diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Dhaka. Relations have soured since the fall of the Awami League government last year, with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now living in exile in India. Bangladesh’s interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has clashed with India over a series of issues, including alleged attacks on Hindu minorities and demands for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition.
This downturn follows decades of close cooperation between the two countries, beginning with India’s instrumental support for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. The fate of Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home has now emerged as a cultural flashpoint in this evolving diplomatic landscape.
