We, the undersigned, believe that a festival of diversity is a brilliant idea. Cultural and arts activities and different taste experiences pertaining to different cultures should be celebrated by the broader community. Indeed the word is Sanskrit for 'to meet'. Why then, the Edinburgh Mela puts barricades over our local park for a week, charges people entry for the weekend that it is on, and then leaves the park decimated and covered in holes and oily waste is beyond us. None of these things celebrate or encourage tolerance or diversity. The good will shown towards the Mela by local residents has been eroded after complaints that blind and other disabled taxpayers are forced to make a huge diversion whilst travelling through the park were unheeded. Indeed this year through access was actually worse! Complaints that the portaloos were positioned directly next to the toddlers swings were unheeded. Indeed this year there were even more positioned on the other side of the children's play area! Complaints that oily waste was deposited directly onto the park turf were again unheeded and yet again the parks dogs have been eating the watse and rolling in it. If constructive complaints do not even get acknowledged, then it is quite clear that the Edinburgh Mela has no interest in community, diversity or any of the aims it claims to strive for. Unlike other community galas like The Meadows Festival or Leith Festival, the Mela charges entry, and keeps out all others. It is exclusive, it is profit making, it is unwelcome.

Links