As in previous years, residents of Old Dhaka have once again immersed themselves in the kite-flying festival of Sakrain in the capital. However, the final day of Bangla month of Poush is no longer celebrated with the same colour and vibrancy as before, and much of its former splendour has faded.
Following the mass uprising in July 2024, a section of local residents discouraged the observance of the festival in 2025 on religious grounds. This year too, a section of people carried out special campaigns urging people not to celebrate Sakrain.
At the same time, the city corporation has suspended budget allocations for the festival for the past two years.
Consequently, this traditional cultural festival of kite flying—an integral part of the country’s heritage—has lost much of its old lustre. Negative campaigns about the festival, both online and offline, have also influenced public sentiment. Out of fear, many people are no longer participating in the celebrations as they once did.
Riyaz Parvez, a local resident of Old Dhaka, told Times of Bangladesh, “Sakrain is also known as the kite-flying festival. Every year on the last day of Poush, rooftops of almost every house in Old Dhaka, as well as various open fields, used to be filled with kites of all shapes and colours. Since last year, the festival has no longer been as lively as before.”
The headmaster of a government primary school added, “This year too, celebrations are taking place on the rooftops of some houses and in a few areas. But there are far fewer kites than before, and the crowds are much smaller. The festival still exists, but its colours have faded significantly.”
A housewife from Gandaria, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “A section of local residents has been campaigning online and in many alleyways against celebrating this festival on religious grounds. As a result, many people have become hesitant to celebrate out of fear.”
On the matter, Mohammad Mobasher Hasan, chief social welfare and slum development officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said, “Last time, Dhaka South City Corporation was not involved in organising Sakrain, and this time it isn’t either. That is the reality.”
Explaining the reason, he said, “The City Corporation’s financial capacity is not very strong at the moment.”
However, prior to 2025, Dhaka South City Corporation was a regular partner in organising the festival alongside city residents. Yet, the City Corporation has no information on how much funding used to be allocated for Sakrain at that time.
Regarding the matter, Mobasher Hasan said, “Through various standing committees, the City Corporation used to provide ward-based allocations. As a result, there are ward-wise records of how much money was given to each ward. But we do not have any specific information on how much was allocated overall for this sector.”
He, however, commented that, for the sake of transparency, such records should be maintained.
