Several civic organisations in Rajshahi submitted a petition to the Rajshahi Development Authority on Tuesday, demanding immediate cancellation of the lease of the newly built cultural complex at Talaimari to Cambrian International School.
The groups, comprising academics, cultural workers, journalists, lawyers, environmentalists and representatives of various socio-political and voluntary bodies, submitted the petition to the RDA chairman at his office in the afternoon.
In 2017, the RDA took a project titled 鈥楩ather of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Square鈥� at Talaimari crossing, with an estimated cost of about Tk 59.28 crore, aiming at glorifying Sheikh Mujib and 鈥榓dding beauty to the city鈥�.
The cost of the project, however, was doubled to Tk 125 crore in 2022 as the consulting firm changed the design of the building midway through the construction.
Following the ouster of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, the housing and public works ministry cancelled the second phase of the project.
Since then, the building constructed in an area of 12,518 square metres of land at a cost of Tk 61 crore has remained idle, until the authorities leased it to Cambrian International School.
In the petition, the civic groups stated that the complex, built on 1.42 acres with modern amenities, was intended to host cultural, educational and communal activities for the public.
Its planned facilities include basement parking, an amphitheatre, open stage, theatre hall, full library, permanent art gallery and digital museum, modern sound and lighting systems, open spaces, recreation zones, and essential infrastructure such as lifts, generators and solar panels.
The petitioners alleged that the leasing of the complex to a private school undermines public interest and contradicts the project鈥檚 stated purpose.
鈥楾he complex should promote local history, cultural practice, creative expression and civic engagement, especially for young people,鈥� the groups said.
The memorandum placed two key demands 鈥� immediate cancellation of the lease agreement with Cambrian International School and conversion of the building into a full-fledged July History and Cultural Centre, complete with theatre, museum, library, art gallery, open-air stage, public recreation spaces and other facilities as announced.
Among others, July History and Cultural Centre Protection Movement convener Mahbub Siddique, freedom fighter and July-36 Parishad convener Mahmud Jamal Quaderi, Rajshahi University history Professor Golam Sarowar and Arabic Professor Samiul Islam, poet Mostak Rahman, Rajshahi Union of Journalists president Abdul Awal and anthropologist Shahidul Islam signed the petition.
A copy of the petition was also submitted to the Rajshahi divisional commissioner, Rajshahi deputy commissioner, Rajshahi metropolitan police commissioner, and Rajshahi intermediate and secondary education board chairman.
