The long-standing dispute over the renovation of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Museum at Churulia, the birthplace of the rebel poet near Asansol, has been amicably resolved. It has been unanimously decided that all museum artefacts will be kept within the village during the restoration period.
The disagreement had arisen over a proposal to store the artefacts outside Churulia, under the Jamuria police station area, during renovation works, a move that had raised concerns among members of the poet’s family.
It has now been decided that all museum objects will remain within Churulia village and will be housed at the Churulia Yuva Awas, under full police security and continuous CCTV surveillance.
Asansol-based Kazi Nazrul University (KNU) has assured that the renovation will be completed before the annual Nazrul Mela in May 2026. The birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam falls on 24 May. The university will oversee the entire restoration process.
A high-level meeting was held at Churulia and attended by KNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Uday Banerjee, Additional District Magistrate (Development) Koushik Basu, state tourism department official Aditi Ganguly, Jamuria BDO Tapas Pal, teacher-in-charge of Nazrul Vidyapith Dipankar Majumdar, the poet’s granddaughter Sonali Kazi, and officials from Jamuria police station, among others. The meeting unanimously agreed on strict security arrangements during the restoration of the dilapidated museum building.
Professor Banerjee said that during the renovation period, artefacts related to Kazi Nazrul Islam would not be taken outside Churulia and would instead be stored safely at the Yuva Awas under police guard and CCTV monitoring. He clarified that Kazi Nazrul University had no intention of taking control of the artefacts, but was committed to ensuring the safe preservation of the poet’s legacy.
The tourism development and renovation plan has been undertaken by the state tourism department under the leadership of tourism minister Indranil Sen, following directives from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who aims to develop Churulia into a year-round tourism destination.
The West Bengal Tourism Department is spending crores of rupees on the project, which aims to give the museum a modern and attractive look. The renovation will include proper preservation of Kazi Nazrul’s personal belongings, improved local infrastructure and better visitor facilities.
Addressing earlier concerns, officials noted that family members had feared damage to artefacts due to the fragile condition of the building, especially during heavy rains, and possible loss or damage if items were taken outside the village. Following discussions, all concerns were addressed and the dispute was resolved mutually.
Kazi Nazrul Islam is also the national poet of Bangladesh. During his birth centenary celebrations in 1999, the then Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India, Sheikh Hasina Wajed and Atal Behari Vajpayee, had visited Churulia and the Nazrul Museum. The poet’s wife is laid to rest beside his house.