KOLKATA: The ongoing turmoil across the border has led the organizers of one of the city’s most popular winter fairs to request traders from Bangladesh – who booked stalls on the fairground and paid an advance – not to take part.
The agency looking after stall and pavilion bookings of Bidhannagar Mela Utsav 2024-25 have started refunding the advance for stalls paid by Bangladeshi traders.
The fair will be inaugurated at Salt Lake Central Park fairground on Tuesday. Organised by the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC), it will continue till Jan 6. Close to 500 stalls are being set up this year.
“The presence of Bangladeshi traders may provoke a reaction. We do not want any trouble at the fair and have already returned the advance paid by some. We are trying to convince the rest to accept the refund and not to come to the fair,” an official of the agency entrusted by BMC to look after stall, pavilion and kiosk bookings, said.
It has already been reported that the Kolkata International Book Fair, which will begin on Jan 28 at the Central Park fairground, is unlikely to have participation from across the border. Each year, representatives from Bangladesh put up two to three stalls of Dhakai and Jamdani saris and other items at Bidhannagar Mela, which draws large crowds.
“They were interested in putting up those stalls this year as well. Money was paid and bookings were made but given the present situation in Bangladesh, we are returning the money and appealing to them to not take part in the fair. It would be embarrassing and undesirable if any trouble occurs due to their participation. It would be a loss of face for us if they face any trouble here,” an official of the agency said.
When contacted, BMC mayor Krishna Chakraborty, who is the president of the fair committee, said: “I am not aware of this.” Bidhannagar Mela Utsav has been one of the most popular fairs in the city. The fair used to be organized by an NGO when the Left Front was in office. In 2011, the erstwhile Bidhannagar Municipality took over the mela and, since its formation in 2015, BMC has been organizing it.