Report on Citizens' Convention, Alipurduar

An event by the 'People for Parade Ground'

On 29th May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Alipurduar sparked controversies on the city's ecological issues and citizens' rights. The gathering took place at the Parade Ground. The Parade Ground is a huge field inside the city, sustaining a variety of eco-systems which are home to rare birds, insects and other animals; it also serves as a spot of stress-free rendevous for late-evening walkers of different ages, and a quintessential playground for the kids and sports personnels. The Prime Minister's gathering transformed the very nature of this grass-covered space. Concrete structures were rapidly and relentlessly installed to prepare for the ocassion; reckless use of gravel, sand and stone disrupted the natural eco-system.

In the aftermath of such a brutal destruction of greenery, the residents of the area began to protest under the platform of 'People for Parade Ground'. The platform hosted street corners, campaigned for awareness across the city, collected signatures throughout and took an initiative for a Citizens' Convention. The Convention took place on 29th June, 2025 at the premises of the Alipurduar Newtown Girl's High School. Many significant questions were raised in the gathering, as citizens with different political affiliations and ideologies came together under the platform to demonstrate their solidarity towards the issue. According to the resolution of the convention, the have five primary demands have been raised:

• Immediate commencement of a full restoration of the field with the assistance of a team of experts.

• The massive cost of this restoration must not be imposed on the public. The agencies, individuals, and political parties responsible for the damage must bear this expense.

• Not a single inch of concrete can be used on this field. All such existing structures must be removed, and a ban on similar future constructions must be enforced.

• The field serves a variety of purposes for the city’s general public—daily walks, exercise, sports, as well as social, political, religious events, and fairs. Therefore, no part of this field should be restricted from public access. The entire field must remain open to all.

• The Parade Ground belongs to everyone. As long as concrete or permanent constructions that alter the field’s nature are avoided, everyone can use it. However, after any event, the organizers must take full responsibility to promptly clean and restore the field.

  
  

On behalf of the hosts, Shreyoshi Dutta, HM of Alipurduar Newtown Girl's High School has stated, "Dreams are born in the Parade Ground. It (the field) gives life to the city. Since the installation of concrete structure, the playground is dying."

Chanchal Das of CPI (ML) Liberation argued, "The gathering of 29th was a political programme organized by a particular party (the BJP). It is not to be confused with a minister's visit only, as the city had already witnessed such visits from CM and political personnels throughout its history. However, this particular visit has caused significant damage to the nature of the field's soil, and its eco-systems. We strictly condemn this, and are willing to struggle and move forth even if we have to make it to the court."

Bhaskar Majumdar, one of organisers of the platform, proposed that the platform would mail the Central and State ministries to inform them about the issue and a copy to the District Magistrate. If no significant progress is witnessed within the next 15 days, the platform would appeal to the National Green Tribunal bench.

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This report was written by Aranyak Goswami.