Dhaka South clears 'food court' from Bahadur Shah Park

Bahadur Shah Park, a historic spot in Old Dhaka linked to the armed rebellion in 1857 against British colonial rule, has been cleared of the contentious "food court" following protests by local people. 

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has decided not to renew the lease for the food stall, marking a significant step in preserving the park's natural and historical essence.

Locals are calling for a formal public declaration from DSCC to guarantee that no future leasing will occur.

The lease, granted last year for less than Tk4 lakh to a private organisation, allowed temporary infrastructure to be installed on one side of the park.

This decision faced strong opposition from locals and environmental activists, who argued that the food stalls disrupted the environment and aesthetics of the site.

The lease ended in September, and DSCC has rescinded its decision to renew the lease.

Kizer Mohammad Farabi, DSCC's chief estate officer, told The Business Standard, "The process of leasing out Bahadur Shah Park for a food stall is currently suspended. After receiving objections from local people and distinguished individuals, the lease for a food stall in the park was not renewed.

"Our policy decision is that the park will not be leased for food stalls or any other activities. The city corporation is committed to preserving the natural environment and historical structures."

Locals have been strongly opposed to the decision to establish a food stall at the park since the tender announcement last year. They submitted memorandums to then-mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh multiple times.

Despite their efforts, Taposh did not reverse the decision. The situation changed after the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, when locals dismantled most of the food stall's structure. Locals now use the remaining frame of the structure for exercise or rest.

When DSCC called for new tenders to lease the space again, protests resumed. This led to the authority's decision to halt the leasing process. 

Md Hamidur Rahman, a local resident and regular park user, said, "Thousands of people come to this small park in Old Dhaka every day to walk and exercise. The food stall has already ruined the entire environment of the park. We welcome it if the south city authorities revoke the decision to establish a food court."

Social and cultural organisations also joined the movement to protect the park, criticising DSCC for prioritising revenue over environmental and historical preservation.

Akhtaruzzaman, member secretary of the "Historic Bahadur Shah Park and Park Heritage Conservation Struggle Council," said that they have yet to receive any official notice.

He urged the authorities to issue a written assurance that no future leasing decisions will compromise the park's natural and historical integrity

"In the last year, the city corporation earned around Tk4 lakh by setting up a food stall, but it has damaged the natural and historical environment of this park several times over. In the last three months, the half-dead trees have revived due to the absence of the shop," he said. 

He further called for an official notice from DSCC to assure locals that no future decisions would compromise the park's integrity.

"If the city corporation decides to cancel the lease, we will thank the current administrator," he added.

Bahadur Shah Park, originally named Victoria Park, commemorates the resistance against British colonial rule during the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. Renamed to honour the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, the site stands as a symbol of Dhaka's rich historical legacy.

Spanning 85.3 kathas, the park is surrounded by 12 educational institutions, including Jagannath University and Kabi Nazrul Government College. It serves as a recreational space for both locals and students. 

However, like many other historical landmarks, the park has faced challenges such as encroachment, pollution and inadequate maintenance. The establishment of the food stall only added to these concerns. 

The decision to end the food stall lease has brought relief to park users and activists, who now hope for sustained efforts to preserve the park's historical and natural beauty.