Petition: Bring Back ‘Boishakhi Mela’ in Tower Hamlets

London | 14 April 2026

We, the undersigned members of the British Bangladeshi community—including cultural activists, artists, community leaders, journalists, business representatives, and residents—respectfully call on Tower Hamlets Council to reinstate the Boishakhi Mela as an official annual celebration of the Bengali New Year.

Boishakhi Mela has historically been one of the largest Bengali cultural festivals in Europe, second only to the Notting Hill Carnival in scale and cultural significance. It has played a vital role in promoting community cohesion, supporting local artists and businesses, and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Tower Hamlets on both national and international platforms.

Since its suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boishakhi Mela has not returned. This absence has created a significant cultural gap, limiting opportunities for cultural expression and weakening the borough’s cultural leadership in representing British Bangladeshi heritage.

Tower Hamlets is home to a significant British Bangladeshi population. As a borough known for its diversity, we believe it has a responsibility to lead in preserving and promoting Bengali cultural heritage. The continued absence of Boishakhi Mela risks the loss of cultural heritage and weakens intergenerational connections.

 
Our Key Demands:

Reinstate Boishakhi Mela as an official annual event
Ensure transparent and accountable event management
Maintain appropriate funding for cultural activities
Provide accessible venues for cultural organisations
Strengthen year-round cultural engagement
Include a clear policy commitment to Boishakhi Mela
 
We respectfully request a formal meeting with council officials to discuss these proposals.

Boishakhi Mela is not just a festival—it is a living heritage.

Sign this petition to support its return.

 
Petitioner

Syed Tanvir Ahamed
Editor-in-Chief, Politika News
Trustee, Bengal Centre UK

 
Initiated and supported by (Community Representatives)

Sheraj Haque – Chair, Boishakhi Mela Community Trust
Dr Imtiaz Ahmed – Director, Anandadhara Arts
Syed Nahas Pasha – Former President, London Bangla Press Club
Reza Ahmed Foisol Chowdhury – President, UK Bangla Press Club
T M Ahmed Kaysher – Director, RadhaRaman Society
David Lee Morgan – Poet & CEO, Bidrohi Books
Richard Desmond – Friends of Victoria Park
Syed Enam Islam-Former Convenor, Bangla Noboborsho Udjapon Parishad, UK
Hormuz Ali – President, Bangladesh Welfare Association UK
Delwar Hussain – General Secretary, Bangladesh Centre, London
Sarwar E Alam – Chairperson, Setar Fusion
Sadhin Khasru – Actor & Producer, Chaos 7
Helal Khan – Hillside Travels
Abdul Bari – Royal Regency
Urmi Mazhar – Producer and Cultural Activist
Mozibul Hoque Moni – Cultural Activist
Himika Azad – News Presenter
Murad Khan – Purbanat CIC
Chaina Chowdhury – Tal Tarangga
Shakiba Chowdhury – Dance Artist
Yousuf Ratul – Dance Artist
Sonia Sultana – Sonia’s Fusion
Ameen Raja – Relaks Radio Limited
Kiton Shikdar – Community Activist
Deep – Dance Artist
Minhaj Kibriyah – Director, AdWorks
Ferdous Rahman – Freedom Fighter & Cultural Activist
Sonjoy Kuram Roy – Centre for Global Policy and Governance 
Laboni Barua – Singer
Dilruba Ruhee –Actor and Model, Souldance Creative Hub London 
Shahed Ali – Global Arts Village
Bidhan Goswami – Dhaka University Club UK
Audity Roy – Audity CIC
Kishwar Munia – NLEEZ Creative
Muhammed Shahed Rahman – SAY Foundation
Sudarshan Das – Tabla & Dhol Academy
Matin Chowdhury – Actor
Hashi Rani Ganguly – Singer
Baul Shohid – Singer
Smriti Azad – Chairperson, Dockland Theatre
Juyel Raaj – Journalist and Cultural Activist
Nagif Salvah – Musician
Piyas Barua – Musician
Sajeda Kamal Shefali – Singer
Bapita Roy – Singer
Mohammad Aklakur Rahman – Bow Bengali Forum
Nurunnabi Ali – Editor NL24
Sheikh Nurul Islam – Udichi
Zannat E Quasari – Singer
Emdadul H Bhuiyan – Singer
Shatabdi Roy – Singer
Dipankar Roy – Musician
Samrat Mohammed – Musician
Raz Hasan – Singer
Arif Rahman – Singer
Kolpona Hamza – Singer
Shimul Tazbir Chowdhury – Adviser
Sazzad Noor – Singer
Pronoy Sinha Rinku – Singer

Nurjahan Shilpi-Singer
Mamata Mayee Das
Oli Rahman
(On behalf of wider community organisations and supporters)