Visva-Bharati Deploys Security Guards to Protect Plaques Omitting Tagore's Name

Following a backlash to the removal of Rabindranath Tagore's name from two marble plaques marking the institution as a Unesco heritage site, Visva-Bharati deployed security guards on Tuesday to protect the plaques.

The names of vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty and chancellor Narendra Modi are written on the plaques, however Tagore, the university's founder, is not mentioned.

When questioned about the deployment of security guards, Mahua Banerjee, the university's acting public relations officer, said, "I don't know the reason."

According to a source, the decision was made out of concern that protesting organizations might break or destroy the plaques in retaliation for Tagore's name being left off.

On September 17, Santiniketan was listed to Unesco's World Heritage List.

The lack of Tagore's name on the plaques caused controversy. Without a doubt, we will swap them out as soon as feasible with more recent ones that the Archeological Survey of India has given. But we're not going to fuel any discussion over those plaques, particularly by vandalism," a varsity source said.

The on-duty security staff said that the "top boss" had given the order to protect the plaques.

Visva-Bharati will reopen on November 1 after being closed for Puja holidays.

Residents of Santiniketan and a few senior instructors spotted the security personnel being deployed.

"It is regrettable that the varsity placed plaques that need security personnel to keep safe. A senior varsity instructor said that the security personnel's deployment was evidence that they had acted improperly.

The Rabindra Bhavana complex, which comprises five of Tagore's dwellings and a museum, and the Upasana Griha, the glass prayer hall, both have plaques honoring the honor that were recently installed by Visva-Bharati officials. The words "UNESCO INSCRIBED WORLD HERITAGE SITE" and the names Modi and Chakrabarty are inscribed on the two plaques.

The plaques sparked debate from a number of sources, including the Opposition.

According to a BJP official, Chakrabarty's actions have left the Prime Minister's office "not happy."

PMO officials are not pleased that Modiji's name was involved in the incident. In addition to Modiji's name, Tagore's name ought to have been shown, according to a BJP official who says he spoke with the PM's office.

According to Visva-Bharati, the plaques will soon be removed and were just temporary.

There were rumors that senior Visva-Bharati officials received a verbal communication from top Delhi authorities requesting the removal of the controversial plaques, which led to the varsity's decision to replace them.

"They weren't put in for a short while. We've heard that Chakrabarty was instructed to swap them out. Let's wait and see," an official said.

However, Banerjee said that she was unaware of any correspondence on the plaque replacement from Delhi.

She said, "I don't know whether any such communications came."

Jairam Ramesh, the chairman of communications for the Congress, wrote on X on Monday, saying that the Nehru era was insufficient. Rabindranath Tagore's erasing is now starting.

Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT unit, counterposted.

Is the Congress drawing comparisons between the esteemed Rabindranath Tagore and the inept Nehru? It is disrespectful to speak of them in the same way as Guru Ji. On X, Malviya scribbled, "Shame."

Additionally, as stated on the signpost, the Prime Minister is the Chancellor or Acharya of Shantiniketan. Learn for yourself,” he continued.