India urges Bangladesh to reconsider demolition of Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home

India urged the Bangladesh government to stop the demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Mymensingh and has offered support to help preserve and restore the site as a cultural heritage landmark.

In a statement issued on July 15, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India expressed "deep regret" over the demolition of the historic residence, once owned by Ray’s grandfather, the celebrated writer and publisher Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury.

"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," said the MEA.

According to reports from The Hindu and Hindustan Times, the century-old property on Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road had deteriorated significantly due to years of neglect and is now being demolished to make way for a new construction. Following the 1947 Partition, the government took ownership of the site, which later became home to the Mymensingh Shishu Academy, a children's educational center.

Stressing the property's symbolic value, the MEA added, "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," the statement further said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also urged the Bangladesh government to reconsider the decision, saying the historic building that holds the memory of Satyajit Ray’s ancestors should be preserved.

The historic house on Harikishore Ray Road in Mymensingh was once used by the Shishu Academy (Children’s Academy). But since 2007, due to its poor condition, no activities have been held there. The academy now plans to demolish the abandoned house and construct a multi-storey building on the site.