Agartala, May 10: A political controversy erupted in Tripura’s Bishalgarh after local BJP leaders demanded replacement of a statue of Rabindranath Tagore located near a CPI(M) party office, claiming that the structure resembles communist ideologue Karl Marx more than the Nobel laureate poet.
The issue surfaced a day after Rabindra Jayanti was observed across the state through various cultural and academic programmes. BJP leaders accused the CPI(M), which ruled Tripura for over two decades, of attempting “cultural subversion” through the installation of the statue.
Speaking to reporters, BJP Mandal President Tapan Das said the existing statue failed to accurately portray Rabindranath Tagore and should be replaced with a more appropriate structure.
“Rabindranath Tagore is our pride, and his works are part of our everyday life. His ideals guide society. Since this statue does not resemble the Nobel laureate poet, the administration should take proactive steps and replace it with a proper one,” Das said.
The controversy gained momentum after a video went viral on social media during Rabindra Jayanti celebrations. In the video, two local youths were seen cleaning the statue and offering floral tributes to Tagore. According to the youths, their intention was to draw public attention to the alleged neglect of the statue, claiming that authorities had failed to clean or decorate it on the poet’s birth anniversary.
The viral video triggered criticism from local residents, many of whom questioned the role of the Municipal Council in maintaining the statue and surrounding area.
Although official Rabindra Jayanti programmes were organised in Bishalgarh and other parts of the state, they were held at different venues.
Local BJP leaders further claimed that demands had been raised earlier for replacing the existing structure with a “properly designed” full-figure statue of Tagore.
“We do not need lessons from CPI(M) on respecting Rabindranath Tagore. BJP workers and citizens across Bishalgarh observed Rabindra Jayanti with due dignity and respect,” Das added.
However, soon after the BJP press conference, several photographs and videos from previous years surfaced online showing BJP leaders themselves garlanding the same statue during earlier Rabindra Jayanti observances, adding another dimension to the ongoing political debate.
