Faridpur’s 350-year-old fair canceled due to BNP factional clash

Local Correspondent

The historic “Kataghar Dewan Shagir Shah” fair in Boalmari, Faridpur, has been suspended this year due to a conflict between two BNP factions over its management. The fair, which has been held for about 350 years, traditionally begins on the 12th of Chaitra (marking the death anniversary of Sufi saint Shagir Shah) and continues for nearly a month.

Local authorities confirmed that the district administration did not grant permission for the fair due to the dispute, though the Urs (death anniversary observance) will still take place.

According to locals, the fair, which was supposed to be held for the 351st time this year, has never been canceled before—not even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

Two rival BNP groups had separately applied to organize the fair. One group, led by Ali Akkas Montu (BNP’s Rupapat Union secretary) and Anichur Rahman Tito, is backed by Shamsuddin Mia (Jhunur), a BNP nomination aspirant for Faridpur-1 constituency. The other group, led by UP Chairman Mizanur Rahman (Sona Mia) and local BNP leaders, is supported by Khondaker Nasirul Islam, another BNP leader seeking nomination for the same seat.

Earlier clashes between the two factions led to police cases, prompting authorities to deny permission over security concerns.

Siddiq Fakir, the shrine’s caretaker, expressed surprise, saying, “In my 20 years here, I’ve never seen the fair canceled.” Former UP Chairman Azizar Rahman blamed “BNP infighting” for the suspension, while Khondaker Nasirul Islam denied factional disputes, calling it a “profit-sharing issue.”

Boalmari Police Station OC Md. Mahmudul Hasan said permission was denied due to prior violence and legal cases, stating, “If clashes happened before the fair, the situation could worsen during it.”

The cancellation has disappointed traders and devotees, with many returning home after arriving with goods for the fair.