Union minister comments on Rabindranath Tagore’s complexion, kicks up row

“All were fair-skinned in Tagore's family. Even Rabindranath Tagore was fair-skinned in reality. However, there are two types of fair skin tones.” said the minister.

Subhas Sarkar

Union Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar on Wednesday courted controversy for making a comment about Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s complexion, drawing flak from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Sarkar, the doctor-turned-MP from Bankura, said no one in Tagore’s family, including his mother, cradled him in their arms when he was a baby because he was “dark-skinned”. He made the comment during an interaction with the teachers of Visva-Bharati University, which was founded by the Nobel laureate. He was at the institute to attend a felicitation ceremony for becoming a Union minister.

“All were fair-skinned in Tagore’s family. Even Rabindranath Tagore was fair-skinned in reality. However, there are two types of fair skin tones. Those who have a yellow tint, and those with a reddish complexion. Tagore had the second type of skin tone. His mother and others in his family refused to take him in their lap as he was dark-skinned. But that same person became world-famous,” said the minister. Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty was by Sarkar’s side when he made the remark. The minister was accompanied by local BJP leader Dhruba Saha.

“Subhas Sarkar is not aware of history…This is a racist comment and an insult to the icons of Bengal,” said TMC leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee.

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