Overview
- Authorities halted demolition on July 16 following sustained protests by residents, appeals from West Bengal’s chief minister and India’s external affairs ministry.
- Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on July 17 that the structure has no documented historical or familial ties to Satyajit Ray or his ancestors.
- India’s external affairs ministry and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have offered technical and financial support to restore the property as a literature museum.
- The century-old building, constructed by Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury and nationalized after Partition, operated as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy before standing vacant for over a decade.
- Officials now face a choice between preserving the site as a heritage landmark and proceeding with plans for a new semi-concrete academy facility.