Tagore mural restoration begins in Khulna

KHULNA, Nov 7: Work to restore a defaced mural of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore began on Saturday after black ink was smeared across the poet’s face and anti-Tagore posters were placed on a boundary wall near Khulna Railway Station.

Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju inspected the mural and condemned the vandalism. 

“People may have their own likes and dislikes. But expressing those views should not involve actions that are disrespectful, provoke public reaction or spread hatred,” Manju said.

He said the murals, depicting the city’s heritage and prominent personalities, were part of a beautification initiative ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Khulna.

The vandalised mural also featured Kazi Nazrul Islam, Begum Khaleda Zia, Ziaur Rahman and Michael Madhusudan Dutta.

The posters beside Tagore’s portrait contained allegations about his role in the establishment of Dhaka University.

Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station Lokman Hossain said police were investigating the incident but had yet to identify those responsible.

He said nearby businesses were closed on Friday, making it difficult to establish when the vandalism occurred.