Bangladesh claimed that after a thorough examination of historical records, they have conclusively established that the structure undergoing demolition in Mymensingh district bears no connection to the renowned Bengali cinema director Satyajit Ray or his family lineage.
This came after Indian government expressed regret after several media reported that the ancestral house of eminent children's writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city is being demolished.
Ray Chowdhury, a prominent 19th-century litterateur, was also a painter and publisher, and the father of the celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of the filmmaker Ray.
"We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the MEA said.
"The Government of India is willing to cooperate with the Government of Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of Satyajit Ray," the MEA said.
In a statement, released on Thursday, the Bangladesh foreign ministry claimed that the house was built by a local Zamindar, Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury, next to his bungalow house "Shashi Lodge", for his employees. Upon the abolition of the zamindari system, it came under the control of the government.
It also said that the house has been used as the office of the District Shishu Academy. And, the land itself was a non-agricultural government (Khas) land and leased to Shishu Academy on a long term basis.
"The District Authorities have reviewed the land records related to the house and confirmed that - as per the past records the land belongs to the Government and has no association with the Ray family whatsoever. Local senior citizens and respected individuals from various communities also attested that there is no known historical connection between the Ray family and the house and land currently leased to the Shishu Academy. The house is not listed as an archaeological monument, either," the statement read.
"However, the road in front of the house, "Harikishore Ray Road", is named after Satyajit Ray's great- grandfather Harikishore Ray, the adoptive parent of Satyajit Ray's grandfather Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury. The Ray family had a house on Harikishore Ray Road, which they had sold long ago and thus no longer exists. A multi-storied building was constructed there by the new owner," it added.
The Bangladesh foreign ministry claimed that the building, which is being demolished, was dilapidated, risky and unusable and also said that in the meeting, writer Kangal Shahin elaborated how the "dilapidated building" does not belong to Hari Kishore Ray or Satyajit Ray.
The ministry also gave other writers and poets name who have said that the building, which is scheduled to be demolished, has no connection with Satyajit Ray.
This came after Indian government expressed regret after several media reported that the ancestral house of eminent children's writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city is being demolished.
Ray Chowdhury, a prominent 19th-century litterateur, was also a painter and publisher, and the father of the celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of the filmmaker Ray.
"We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the MEA said.
"The Government of India is willing to cooperate with the Government of Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of Satyajit Ray," the MEA said.
In a statement, released on Thursday, the Bangladesh foreign ministry claimed that the house was built by a local Zamindar, Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury, next to his bungalow house "Shashi Lodge", for his employees. Upon the abolition of the zamindari system, it came under the control of the government.
Detailed inquiry into archive/records in #Bangladesh reconfirm: the building being demolished in #Mymensingh district has no historical/familial link to iconic Bengali filmmaker #Satyajit Ray or his ancestors. pic.twitter.com/IT4uwtvBFm
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) July 17, 2025
It also said that the house has been used as the office of the District Shishu Academy. And, the land itself was a non-agricultural government (Khas) land and leased to Shishu Academy on a long term basis.
"The District Authorities have reviewed the land records related to the house and confirmed that - as per the past records the land belongs to the Government and has no association with the Ray family whatsoever. Local senior citizens and respected individuals from various communities also attested that there is no known historical connection between the Ray family and the house and land currently leased to the Shishu Academy. The house is not listed as an archaeological monument, either," the statement read.
"However, the road in front of the house, "Harikishore Ray Road", is named after Satyajit Ray's great- grandfather Harikishore Ray, the adoptive parent of Satyajit Ray's grandfather Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury. The Ray family had a house on Harikishore Ray Road, which they had sold long ago and thus no longer exists. A multi-storied building was constructed there by the new owner," it added.
The Bangladesh foreign ministry claimed that the building, which is being demolished, was dilapidated, risky and unusable and also said that in the meeting, writer Kangal Shahin elaborated how the "dilapidated building" does not belong to Hari Kishore Ray or Satyajit Ray.
The ministry also gave other writers and poets name who have said that the building, which is scheduled to be demolished, has no connection with Satyajit Ray.
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