Part of Ritwik Ghatak’s ancestral house demolished to construct bicycle garage 

The Rajshahi Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital authorities have demolished a part of noted filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak's ancestral house for building a bicycle garage. 

During a visit to the spot on Monday, our Rajshahi correspondent found that the college authorities were removing debris from the destroyed part.

Teachers of the college said a temporary bicycle garage will be built on that part for the college students.

A total of 13 social and cultural organisations in the district have submitted a memorandum to the Rajshahi deputy commissioner, demanding that the ancestral house of internationally renowned filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak be preserved.

They also demanded that the government build the Ritwik Ghatak memorial museum. 

Legend of Bengali film Ritwik Ghatak spent his childhood, adolescent and a part of his youth at the house of Rajshahi's Miapara area. Renowned author of the subcontinent Mahasweta Devi also lived here for some time.

During the Ershad regime in 1989, the ancestral house was leased to Rajshahi Homoeopathic Medical College at a nominal price. They are now using the entire house. 

The college authorities have already built multi-storeyed buildings beside the house. 

The authorities have also been using those rooms where Ritwik and his family members used to stay. The college authorities damaged a part of the house and decided to build a temporary garage. 

Dr Anisur Rahman, acting principal of the college, said, "The government handed over 34 decimals of land to the college authorities as the endowed property. According to that, the entire house had been allocated for the college." 

"For the infrastructural development of the college, if necessary, other rooms, which have already dilapidated, will be demolished, he added.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Md Shariful Haq said, "We have asked the college authorities to stop the work. We will investigate this matter and take necessary measures accordingly."