A leading cultural organisation has raised strong objections to the government’s decision to rename the iconic Pohela Boishakh procession, cautioning that the change risks diluting a key symbol of Bangladesh’s cultural identity.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi has called for the reinstatement of the original name, Mangal Shobhajatra, arguing that the move to rebrand it as Boishakhi Shobhajatra overlooks the historical and ideological roots of the tradition.
According to the organisation’s leadership, the procession is more than a festive display. It emerged from the anti-autocracy movements of the late 1980s and has since evolved into a powerful cultural expression associated with inclusivity and resistance to communal division.
They contend that altering its name represents an unnecessary intervention in a long-established tradition, one that has gained both national and international recognition.
The procession’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 further underscores its global significance.
The group emphasised that the term ‘Mangal’ carries symbolic meaning tied to collective aspirations for harmony and social progress. Removing it, they argue, risks weakening the historical continuity and philosophical essence of the celebration.
Framing the issue as part of a broader concern over cultural preservation, the organisation urged policymakers to safeguard traditions that reflect the country’s pluralistic values and intellectual heritage.
