The government has decided to rename the Bangla New Year procession. From now on, the traditional procession will be called “Baishakhi Shobhajatra”, instead of “Ananda Shobhajatra” or “Mangal Shobhajatra”.
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced the decision after a meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday.
He said, “There has been a debate over the name of ‘Shobhajatra’, and we want to end that debate. We have decided it will no longer be called ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ or ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’.”
“The procession will be held with due dignity, showcasing all cultures. People will join with their drums, musical instruments, and traditional attire to make it a joyful event. The name of this procession will be ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’. Baishakhi fair, Baishakhi procession, Baishakhi festivities — in everything we want to highlight Baishakh. That is our decision,” he told reporters.
Referring to divisions among groups over Pahela Baishakh, he said, “Pahela Baishakh is a thousand-year-old tradition. In 1989, during Ershad’s regime, the procession was introduced as ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’. In 1996, when the Awami League came to power, they changed it to ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’. Later, the caretaker government again renamed it ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’.”
The minister added, “Now some say the name must remain ‘Ananda’, while others insist it should be ‘Mangal’. But we do not want division.”
“This government is accountable to the people, the nation, and the country. Past controversies will remain part of history, but we do not want division in society. We do not want any conflict among people. We want unity in diversity. In a democratic society, there will be people of different views, ideals, and political beliefs. That is the beauty and tradition of democracy.”
Asked whether renaming it “Baishakhi Shobhajatra” might affect UNESCO recognition, Minister Nitai Roy said, “Are we a government or country run by UNESCO? When it was called ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’, UNESCO was there. When it was ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’, UNESCO was there. We will inform them that from now on, in our country, it will be ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’. This is our tradition.”
He added, “UNESCO did not give recognition based on the name of the procession. They recognised the festival of Baishakh itself, highlighting Bangladesh’s culture. Is our culture only about the procession? There are many other aspects.”
