Authorities have halted the demolition of a historic building in Mymensingh city’s Harikishore Roy Road, previously used as the Mymensingh Children’s Academy, following public outcry and conflicting claims about its heritage.
Some claim the house once belonged to the ancestors of legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, while others argue it was a temporary residence of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha from Tangail.
The demolition work, which began earlier this week, triggered widespread criticism on social media and concern from cultural activists and archaeologists. On Wednesday, officials confirmed that the demolition has been paused.
Sabina Yasmin, field officer at the Department of Archaeology’s Shashi Lodge Museum, submitted a formal letter on Monday to the district children’s affairs officer, requesting details about the house.
She said the building may not be listed as an archaeological site yet, but it is over a century old and historically significant.
“This house is widely believed to be linked to the Ray family and could qualify for protected status,” she added.
By the time the issue gained traction, nearly one-third of the structure had already been demolished, Sabina said.
She noted that the higher authorities had been informed, and a decision on preservation is awaited.
The matter drew further attention after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Indian government officials reportedly expressed concern late Tuesday night. Senior district officials subsequently visited the site for inspection.
When contacted, Mehedi Zaman, the district children’s affairs officer, said the demolition was suspended following orders from the deputy commissioner. "A meeting will be held at 4 PM today to discuss the next steps," he said.
However, the ownership and historical claims over the house remain disputed. Archaeological researcher Swapan Dhar argued that the building was, in fact, the temporary residence of Ranada Prasad Saha. He cited research conducted under a German-funded urban heritage project between 2016 and 2017, which identified and categorized 320 heritage structures in Mymensingh. The disputed house was listed in Category 2. “No one has the right to demolish such a heritage site,” he said.
Swapan further clarified that while Harikishore Roy Road was named after Satyajit Ray’s ancestor, the actual Ray family house is located a short distance away, not the one currently under dispute.
Afroza Khan, Regional Director of the Department of Archaeology for Dhaka and Mymensingh Divisions, confirmed that a large portion of the house has already been torn down. She said a field officer has been instructed to prepare a detailed report, after which further action will be considered.
The incident highlights growing concern over heritage preservation in Bangladesh, where historically significant structures often face demolition due to a lack of official recognition or documentation.
