A tight-knit community of working-class families from Bogura saved every spare taka to realise a shared dream: a day trip to explore the glorious 18th-century palace complex of Natore Rajbari.
They pooled their modest resources, hired a bus, and set off in high spirits, carrying grandparents and eager children alike to experience one of Bangladesh’s grandest heritage sites.
Instead, their long-awaited journey ended in utter dismay at a padlocked iron gate.
Despite heartfelt pleas from the visitors, security guards steadfastly refused entry, pointing to a stark notice board banning the public.
“We are poor people. We planned this outing for long and finally scraped together enough to hire a bus,” lamented one devastated traveler.
“Who is going to compensate us for this loss? Many of us may never get another opportunity to see the Rajbari in our lifetime.”
Another member of the party, Arun, repeatedly begged the gatekeepers for a brief glimpse inside, but to no avail.
Their heartache reflects a broader crisis unfolding across the district.
An estimated 5,000 disappointed tourists have been turned away from Natore Rajbari over recent days after local officials unilaterally shuttered the entire complex for nine days to accommodate a six-day Regional Cub Camporee, an event of cub scouts.
The decision has sparked fierce public outrage, raising sharp questions about official incompetence, wasted travel expenses, lost state revenue, and an appalling lack of public notice.
For Nuruzzaman Zaman, who journeyed from Bhaluka in Mymensingh alongside his 12-year-old son and four companions, the trip was meant to be a nostalgic pilgrimage.
Nuruzzaman had worked for an NGO in Natore 21 years ago and was keen to share its rich heritage with his young son.
“Closing such a nationally significant heritage site without issuing a national notice is completely arbitrary and a clear abuse of power,” Nuruzzaman declared, challenging the authority of the district administration.
His friend, Abul Hossain Sunny, echoed the sense of betrayal.
“We spent a considerable sum travelling from Bhaluka for a bit of leisure. We came here to enjoy ourselves, but our happiness has been turned into sheer disappointment.”
Travelers from across the country shared similar stories of frustration.
Maksuda Parvin Shiuly, who arrived with her daughter from Thakurgaon, noted that in all her domestic and international travels, she had never witnessed a major public landmark shut down in such a casual manner.
She further alleged that the closure had not been approved by either the Department of Archaeology or the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Adding fuel to the fire, several disappointed visitors alleged that while Bangladeshi citizens were being strictly barred, select foreign tourists were granted private access, a claim of preferential treatment that local authorities have yet to address.
The controversy has drawn blistering criticism from civil society figures, who insist that the scouting event and public tourism need not have been mutually exclusive.
Abdul Razzaq, Natore district president of the Committee of Concerned Citizens and a former scout leader, voiced deep concern over the venue choice.
“Scouting is a noble movement built on discipline,” Razzaq remarked.
“This rally could easily have been hosted at a local stadium. Even if held at the Rajbari, proper arrangements should have been made to allow tourists access. It would have even served to educate the public about scouting values.”
In the face of mounting anger, local officials appear to be passing the buck.
Natore Deputy Commissioner Sumoni Akter admitted she did not know whether approval had been secured from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs or the Department of Archaeology, saying her office was simply executing a mandate from the divisional level.
Meanwhile, Acting Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Md Rezaul Alam Sarker conceded that the decision was flawed.
“The scouting programme is for six days. Closing the Rajbari for nine days was simply not the right decision,” Sarker admitted, adding that the arrangement had been made by scouting leaders and a previous commissioner.
Safety concerns have also emerged.
Natore Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque highlighted that the palace complex features deep, historic ponds that present serious hazards for young scouts, confirming that extra police units have been deployed to prevent accidents.
Natore-2 MP and parliamentary whip M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu assured the public that steps would be taken to rectify the situation, iterating the government’s commitment to tourism.
