Bangalore Neighbourhood Unites to End Iconic Ramzan Food Festival
Community Comes Together for Common Concerns Beyond Communal Lines
In a time when such campaigns are often associated with politics or religion, a Bangalore neighborhood has banded together to end its renowned Ramzan food festival for non-communal reasons.
People from all walks of life, including Muslims, have taken to the streets to protest the food fair on Mosque Road in Frazer Town, citing health risks, traffic jams, and an increase in criminal activity. Even the local lawmaker gave them assurances that the event would not take place this year.
People from all around the city and its surrounding neighborhoods swarm to the food festival to sample the Ramzan specialties that are being served.
The Frazer Town Residents' Welfare Association stepped up and started a signature drive to carry on the effort that was started at the tail end of the fasting month of the previous year, with Ramadan fasting expected to start on March 10 or 11.
The group requested that the event be canceled in a note sent to MLA A.C. Srinivasa, the city police, and the municipal council.
"The MLA has informed us that the food festival would not be permitted going forward,” Saud Dastagir, the vice-president of the group, said to The Telegraph on Wednesday.
He emphasized that there was no group interest behind the move. "We, the Muslims, Hindus, and Christians, are all involved in this movement because the illegal food festival has disrupted the peace and normalcy of the area."
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