A two-day urs began at Anwara Park at Farmgate in the city flouting a High Court order.
Kutubbagh Darbar Sharif covered the entire park, facing Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, and put up a big stage damaging trees and the environment of the green space.
The organizers blocked the park to store materials for last for or five weeks denying the neighbourhood’s children entry to play, said a kid from Indira Road residential area.
Kutub Bagh Darbar Sharif, the oirganizers, also blocked the busy roads and lanes around the park to keep cows, camels, buffaloes and goats donated by followers.
It erected giant bamboo made arches draped in green and white and illuminated the entire park and surrounding areas with bright lights taking no permission from the designated authorities.
The organizers took over the open public space in mid January, put up grand entrances and set up a big stage for delivering sermons to followers during the urs of Shah Sufi Hazrat Jakir Shah, the Peer of Kutub Bagh Darbar Sharif, set to end today.
Held each year since 2008, the event flouts the court order and the Natural Water body Protection and Preservation of Open Space and Playground Act of 2000, said Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon secretary general Sharif Jamil.
Public Works Ministry lets out the park flouting the law, which prohibits letting or leasing out playgrounds, parks, open spaces and wetlands for any purpose other than their designated use, he said.
Following a writ petition, a HC bench in May 2003, issued a rule directing the government to ensure proper maintenance and preservation of the city’s playgrounds and open spaces.
The public works ministry denies nieghbouring children access to the park for the urs, said Sharif Jamil.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association filed the writ petition,
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works official said that they rented out Anwara Park for the two-day congregation on a rental of Tk 15,000.
They said that PWD gave no permission to erect arches in and around the park.
Dhaka North City Corporation said that the organizers took no permission from it to erect the arches or to illuminate them.
More than 100 cows, buffaloes, goats, camels, donated by followers have been kept on roads and lanes around the park, awaiting slaughter for the feast during the congregation.
Farid Sheikh, from Chittagong, a follower of Kutubbagh said that two lakh others like him from all over the country were attending the event.
Belayet Hossain Khan, another follower, told New Age thousands stayed overnight at Anwara Park.
He said that the urs was held on some years covering much bigger space including the T&T playground, Anwara Park and Rajdhani High School playground.
A traffic police officer seeking anonymity said that Zakir Shah has a big following among influential persons including politicians.
-With New Age input
