Television actress Rupali Ganguly, best known for her role in the hit TV show Anupamaa, has strongly condemned the demolition of the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Taking to social media on Wednesday (July 16), the actress expressed her outrage over the incident, calling it an attack on art and cultural heritage.
"Disgusting and unforgivable! Under the so-called 'moral leadership' of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has demolished the ancestral home of Bharat Ratna Satyajit Ray in Bangladesh. This wasn’t just a demolition! It was a message: They fear art. They erase legacy."
The actress added, "They glorify violence, not culture. This act exposes their true colours."
India urges Bangladesh to reconsider its decision
Her remarks come amid growing backlash over the demolition, which has sparked criticism not only from the public but also from the Indian government.
On Tuesday, India formally urged Bangladesh to reconsider its decision, describing the move as a matter of "profound regret." The Ministry of External Affairs proposed converting the site into a museum to honour Ray’s legacy and even offered assistance to restore the historic structure.
More about the building
The now-demolished building, a modest single-storey structure on Harikishore Ray Road, once belonged to Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, Satyajit Ray’s grandfather and a towering figure in Bengali literature.
After the Partition of 1947, the property came under the ownership of the Bangladeshi government and was last used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989.
Over the years, the structure fell into neglect and was recently cleared to make way for a new semi-permanent facility.
Despite its deteriorated condition, many see the demolition as a missed opportunity to preserve a symbol of the Bangla cultural renaissance.
