Circus owners seek permission to reopen
People involved in the circuses have been going through hard times for the past 11 months
The Bangladesh Circus Owners' Association has sought permission from the government for organising events as people involved in this sector are in dire straits due to the closure of circus amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Authorities concerned have not allowed the circuses to organise shows since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the government has allowed almost all the other sectors to run their activities maintaining the hygiene rules, circus events should also resume, speakers said at a press conference organised by the association at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Sunday.
Babu Niranjan Sarkar, president of the Bangladesh Circus Owners Association, said about 25,000 people involved in the circus exhibitions have been going through hard times for the past 11 months. Many of them are starving too.
"Some circus owners have debts. On the other hand, circus artists are changing their professions to survive. So, I appeal to the government to allow the circuses to reopen," he added.
Shahinur Rahman, general secretary of the association, said, "The sector has incurred a loss worth around Tk20 crore during the pandemic. The government has provided stimulus packages to businessmen of various sectors. We also urge the government to allocate Tk10 lakh as a stimulus to save the circus industry."
There are 26 circus groups listed in the country. Listed circus owners attended the press conference.
