Black ink on Tagore: The fight over Bangladesh’s identity

 The recent defacement of Rabindranath Tagore’s portrait in Dhaka has stirred a fresh wave of conversations about his legacy. Against the backdrop of increased political unease post the July 2024 uprising and claims against Jamaat-e-Islami, public outcry highlights the threat to cultural icons. This event has mobilized protests and reinvigorated discussions, reflecting on the vital intersection of politics, culture, and the essence of national identity in contemporary Bangladesh. The recent defacement of Rabindranath Tagore’s portrait in Dhaka has stirred a fresh wave of conversations about his legacy. Against the backdrop of increased political unease post the July 2024 uprising and claims against Jamaat-e-Islami, public outcry highlights the threat to cultural icons. This event has mobilized protests and reinvigorated discussions, reflecting on the vital intersection of politics, culture, and the essence of national identity in contemporary Bangladesh.