Thu Jul 17 04:46:45 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Demolition of Satyajit Ray’s Ancestral Home Halted Amid Outcry, Reconstruction Planned**
**Mymensingh, Bangladesh** – The demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, has been halted following widespread concern and protests from both India and within Bangladesh. Authorities have established a committee to explore options for reconstruction of the property.
The house belonged to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a renowned Bengali writer and Ray’s grandfather. The demolition sparked outrage, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighting the house’s significance to Bengali cultural history and urging its preservation. India’s Ministry of External Affairs also expressed regret, suggesting the property be transformed into a museum of literature and a symbol of shared India-Bangladesh culture, offering assistance for the project.
Faisal Mahmud, minister (press) at the Bangladesh High Commission, clarified that while Satyajit Ray may not have resided in the Mymensingh house, it belonged to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury’s ancestors. He stated that the oversight was because the house was not included in the heritage list. He assured that the government is committed to restoring the building, emphasizing Ray’s global significance and pride for Bangladeshis.
The incident follows a separate act of vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahzadpur, raising concerns about the safety of cultural landmarks. However, Mr. Mahmud denied that cultural spaces were being targeted in Bangladesh.
These events occur against a backdrop of strained relations between India and Bangladesh following a change in government in Bangladesh last year.
First Piper 