The ongoing controversy surrounding Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore has left the descendants of the former 19th-century novelist, poet, essayist and journalist pained, who are now demanding a university in his name as well as proper upkeep of his legacy in West Bengal.
The controversy erupted after Karnataka BJP leader Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said that ‘Vande Mataram should have been the National Anthem’ and further said that “Jana Gana Mana was written to welcome British officials”. He later backtracked after widespread criticism, but it led to a row between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.
Furthermore, while the Centre is marking 150 years of the ‘Vande Mataram’, penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the TMC has alleged that the BJP disrespected Rabindranath Tagore, composer of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
However, Bankim Chandra’s descendants highlighted the cordial relationship between Bankim and Tagore, with Sajal Chattopadhyay, a fifth-generation descendant, stating Tagore’s visits to Bankim’s College Street home.
“Bankim Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore cannot be compared. Both are stalwarts and Rabindranath Tagore was much younger to him, but if anyone compares them is up to them,” said Soumitra Chattopadhyay, another fifth-generation descendant of Bankim.
Soumitra and Sajal highlighted the lack of proper upkeep of his houses in Kantalpara, Naihati (now a museum and research centre), and Kolkata House at 5, Pratap Chatterjee lane (now a library).
Soumitra, expressed his disappointment, stating that the state government has never contacted the family regarding the upkeep of the properties, especially Naihati and Kolkata.
“The Naihati house has been taken as heritage property, but behind that is Purno Chandra Chatterjee’s house and we still visit it, we have renovated the temple and do daily puja of the deity,” Soumitra told The Indian Express over phone.
“If the state is unable to maintain it (Kolkata residence), it will be our pleasure if the central government intervenes and takes care of it,” he said.
“The state government has never contacted us when the research centre at Naihati celebrated his birth anniversary, our family was not invited…,” Soumitra added.
“The house where the library is, is in Kolkata. Since it is a government property it is the duty of the government to see to it,… why it was closed. An enquiry should be carried out and a report should be published for the public…,” he said.
Sajal Chattopadhyay shared his distressing experience of visiting the Kolkata house, which is now a library.
“Around two years back, I was shocked to see the condition of the Kolkata house. The gates were open, things were dumped around, and people were sleeping in the courtyard.”
Recounting his visit to the house seven months ago, Sajal said, “I saw people sleeping inside the premises and they charged towards me as why I was objecting. Others told me that the library rarely opens, and when it does, it’s only for an hour, with no security. I contacted the local councillor and informed about the condition of the house.”
Swati Ganguly, the great-granddaughter of Bankim Chandra, echoed similar sentiments saying, “A lot can be done to preserve his legacy. The condition of the Kolkata house is very bad, and I appeal to the state government to do something about it.”
“The Museum, the research centre and the library in Naihati depends on only state funds, they have not been able to extend it. However, what is sad is that it finds very few visitors. Only researchers visit the place and its library. I visited the place three months back,” she said.
“Secondly, there is a problem regarding the date and the year when the Vande Mataram was written. While the central government celebrates it based on the date November 7, 1875, there is indication that it has been written much before in 1874 during Durga Puja. I feel a lot of research should be done to pinpoint the time,” Ganguly added.
Expressing their pain Sajal said, “We are very hurt at the attitude of the state government… no garland is placed on his (Bankim’s) statue on his birthday or death anniversary by this government. Our state government does not keep any news of us, never ask us. In the Naihati house, all the artefacts were provided by the family. We have felt insulted at this attitude of the state government, while we are marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.”
“Meanwhile, the Centre has always contacted us to find out anything regarding him or for any occasion. I am not a political person at all. The central government in Delhi could locate me and the family but our state government could not, despite being here,” he said.
They have also appealed for a University in his name in the state or the country. “Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is the first graduate from the country and if there can be universities named after Tagore and Vidyasagar, I appeal to the state and the Centre, to have a Bankim University,” Sajal said.
The house at 5, Pratap Chandra Chatterjee lane in Kolkata. (Express photo by Partha Paul) 
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