Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) Former India-International footballer Prasun Banerjee has said he would seek Prime Minister Narednra Modi’s intervention in ending a British raj legacy of shutting Kolkata Maidan for 15 days during October every year Kolkata Maidan, adjacent to Eden Gardens’ southern side, where some 72 tents, including of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have their sporting activities for round the year. But for 15 days from October 1-15 in every year all activities come to a standstill in the maidan and even club members are not allowed to have any work in the tent. Kolkata Maidan traditionally comes under the Indian Army jurisdiction,where Fort William, the headquarters of Eastern Command is also situated. Banerjee, who is the first footballer to become an MP, told UNI that the shutting of Maidan for 15 days is the legacy of British Raj which still followed in the independence of India. ” We have become free and our is an independent nation why should we follow the British Legacy in free India,” 67-year-old former India captain asked.
He said he had raised the matter during zero hour in Parliament for closing the chapter of British Raj but nothing happened so far. Banerjee, an arguably one of the best midfielders the country produced, said he was disappointed with a reply of Defence minister Rajnath Singh. ” I have had the matter examined. It has been reported that there are 72 Tent Clubs in Maidan, of which 42 clubs are in operation since pre-independence and remaining post-independence. The allotment of the grounds and time schedule for exclusive use of grounds by these football/tent clubs for sporting activity has been clearly laid down vide various orders and guidelines. ” It has further been informed that the closure period for their activity on Kolkata Maidan is 15 days from October 1-15 every year. This closure is carried out for all activities of all 72 tents in order to bar the right to establish over the Maidan land. This also helps in maintenance and rejuvenation of the green after extensive use in supporting activities. This short closure period of 15 days does not in any way impede /restrict the promotion and encouragement of sports, Singh wrote in a letter to Banerjee. Banerjee,however, said he would seek the PM intervention in this matter to give a second thought to end the British legacy.