The authorities of Kutubbagh Darbar Sharif illegally erected arches in the capital’s Farmgate Park for Urs, a giant gathering, with the permission of the Public Works Department (PWD), causing untold suffering to the visitors and inhabitants.
The PWD officials said they had given the permission to arrange the function in the park at the request of influential ruling party members.
The authorities of the Darbar Sharif also said they had arranged the programme with the permission of the authorities concerned.
Md Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, chief engineer of PWD told the Dhaka Tribune; “We have permitted the function for two days on the recommendation of an influential person.”
“We do not know about the long-term programme of Kutub Bagh Darbar,” Kabir said.
“The month-long programme will damage the beauty of the park. If the Kutubbagh Darbar does not remove the illegal structures, we will file a case against them,” he said.
Residents of the adjoining areas – Indara Road, Rajabazar Green Road and Jahanara Garden – opposed the Urs as it will hamper their normal lives.
Altaf Hossain, 58, an inhabitant of East Rajabazar told the Dhaka Tribune: “Every evening I go to the peark for refreshments and a walk. But the Urs authority has started to block the refreshment area.”
Students of Tejgaon College also echoed the sentiment. Students of the college Saidur Rahman, Raju Das and Afroza Sultana said because of the Urs they would not be able move freely about the park.
When asked, seeking anonymity, a person of the Darbar Sharif said; “We have made tin-shed houses to store foods such as rice, pulses, cattle and other sacrificial animals, which will be given by the pir’s murids (followers).”
Md Motaleb, a murid of Kutubbaghi, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We got permission from the authorities to use the park for Urs.”
