Bankimchandra’s Magistrate House’ in Barasat lies in ruins

At a time when a fresh political controversy has erupted over the way national leaders are addressing Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay — Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to him as “Bankim Da” and the Union Culture Minister reportedly calling him “Bankim Das Chatterjee” — a stark irony lies in the heart of North 24-Parganas.