Row of Rabindranath Tagore's statue, BJP claims statue resembles Karl Marx

BJP Mandal President of Bishalgarh on Sunday demanded to replace a statue of Rabindranath Tagore located near the local CPIM party office claiming that the statue looks more similar to Karl Marx, considered to be the earliest propounders of theories of communism, rather than the nobel laureate. 

The row erupted a day after Rabindra Jayanti was observed across the state through a series of cultural and academic events. The BJP leaders accused the CPIM party that ruled the state for more than two decades behind what they described as ‘an attempt of cultural subversion’. 

Speaking to media persons on the issue, BJP Mandal President Tapan Das said, “Since this statue doesn’t portray the nobel laureate poet, this should be replaced by an appropriate statue. Rabindranath Tagore is our pride and his works are part and parcel of our day to day life. His ideals guide us and we live with them. The administration should take proactive steps in this regard.”  

The press briefing was organised after a video went viral on the social media platforms. On the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti, two youngsters cleaned the statue and paid floral tributes to the Kabiguru. They posted videos of their act and drew the attention of the authorities. The primary objective behind making the video was to tell their viewers that despite being an old statue, the authorities didn’t take any efforts to clean it and garland it on the birth anniversary of the poet.

The video went viral and locals raised questions on the Municipal Council. 

It has to be noted here that official programmes were organised to mark the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti but those were at other venues.  

The local BJP leadership claimed that demands had earlier been raised seeking replacement of the existing structure with a “properly designed” full-figure statue that portrays Tagore.

“We do not need lessons from the CPI(M) on how to respect Rabindranath Tagore. The poet was honoured across Bishalgarh with due dignity through various programmes,” he said.

Meanwhile, after the press briefing, photos and videos of previous events also surfaced online where BJP leaders were seen garlanding the statue of Rabindranath Tagore at the same place.