The demolition of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, has been temporarily halted following widespread protests and diplomatic concern from India. A committee has now been formed to explore the possibility of reconstructing the heritage structure.
The house once belonged to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Ray’s grandfather and a noted Bengali writer. While the Bangladesh government cited structural risks for the demolition, the move drew sharp criticism, especially from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which described the demolition as regrettable. The ministry urged Bangladesh to preserve the building due to its symbolic connection to the Bengali cultural renaissance and proposed converting it into a literary museum. India also expressed its willingness to assist in this restoration.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the demolition “deeply distressing,” emphasizing that the Ray family’s legacy is intertwined with Bengal’s cultural identity. She appealed to the Bangladesh government and the Indian Centre to intervene and preserve the historic site.
Bangladeshi officials attributed the backlash to a “misunderstanding” and suggested the house would be replaced with a new cultural centre. However, the episode unfolds at a time of strained Indo-Bangladesh relations. The fall of the Awami League government, former PM Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India, and increasing reports of violence against Hindu minorities have soured ties.
Dhaka has asked India not to interfere in its domestic affairs and has demanded Hasina’s extradition—marking a sharp departure from the historically strong bilateral relationship.