Fewer Bangladeshi tourists, Kolkata’s rickshaw pullers in inhuman conditions

The tense diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India have caused a terrible crisis in the lives and livelihoods of rickshaw pullers on Marquis Street, the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata, known as ‘Mini Bangladesh’. These rickshaw pullers rely on Bangladeshi tourists to ply their hand-pulled rickshaws on Marquis Street.

Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India hit rock bottom when the interim government took power after Sheikh Hasina fled in the July-August coup. In addition, the interim government did not take well to India’s meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. In such a situation, the Yunus government also strongly protested. As a result, India restricted visas for Bangladeshis. This has created a reverse problem in various parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata.

According to a report in the Times of India, these rickshaw pullers transport Bangladeshi tourists. The income of these rickshaw pullers has decreased by about 70 percent in the last three months due to the decline in the number of Bangladeshi tourists. As a result, many of them have left their profession and entered other professions. Many have joined the work of cargo loading.

A few months ago, the sight of Bangladeshi tourists carrying large shopping bags in rickshaws was quite common in Kolkata’s ‘Mini Bangladesh’ Marquis Street, Mirza Ghalib Street, Free School Street and Sadar Street. But in the recent situation, India has restricted visas for Bangladeshi tourists. Due to which, currently, some people from Bangladesh are going to Kolkata only for medical treatment.

Prosenjit Saha, a resident of Sodipur, Kolkata, has been working as a rickshaw puller in Mini Bangladesh for about a decade. He said, ‘We ferry Bangladeshi tourists throughout the year. This number increases significantly before Eid, Durga Puja and the wedding season. But the number of Bangladeshi tourists has decreased in the last three to four months.’

A rickshaw puller from Canning said, ‘Four months ago, I used to earn Rs 700 to 800 every day. But now it has come down to Rs 200 a day.’

He added that with the decrease in the number of Bangladeshis, it has become difficult to earn even Rs 200 to 250. Because those who come for medical treatment usually do not shop or take rickshaws for fun.’

Many are now leaving this profession and doing other jobs in such a miserable situation. Md. Sajjak worked as a rickshaw puller for six years but has now started working in a food delivery company.

A rickshaw puller from Park Circus in Kolkata said, ‘I do not have my own rickshaw. Whether we earn or not, I have to deposit Rs 70 to the owner every day.’

Another rickshaw puller said that it has become difficult to run a family. Currently, we have to borrow money from different people to meet the expenses of our children’s education.

“Bangladeshis are unable to come to India due to restrictions on new tourist visas. Some visas will expire soon. There is no hope that our income will resume,” he said.