After a prolonged closure of six years, a significant decision was made to reopen the Visva-Bharati Ashram. However, this announcement was swiftly retracted within just two days, leaving many disappointed.
Shortly after assuming the role of Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati, Prabir Kumar Ghosh assumed made a major announcement regarding the reopening of the Ashram, along with several other restricted areas, to the public and tourists. The declaration was met with enthusiasm, particularly at the World Heritage and Tourism Conference held on Friday, where the VC emphasised the institution’s renewed commitment to accessibility and tourism.
The Ashram had remained closed since 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown. At that time, the then VC Bidyut Chakraborty had ordered the closure of the premises, citing safety concerns. Since then, public access to significant parts of the university, including the Ashram, remained restricted.
The decision to reopen was initially welcomed, as authorities mentioned that necessary measures for accommodating tourists would be discussed and finalised in due course.
However, within two days of the announcement, the administration withdrew the decision, citing Visva-Bharati’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The authorities stated that a more comprehensive discussion would be necessary before implementing such a change.
For now, tourists will only be allowed to visit Rabindra Bhavan, a historically significant museum dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore. The future of broader public access to the Visva-Bharati premises remains uncertain, with officials indicating that further discussions and evaluations will determine the final course of action.
This abrupt reversal has sparked debates among heritage enthusiasts and local communities, who were hopeful about the revival of tourism in the area. Many await further clarity on whether the renowned Ashram and other restricted areas of Visva-Bharati will ever be fully accessible to the public again.
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