No decision has been made to change name of Mangal Shobhajatra, says Farooki

He says the Bangla New Year procession was originally called the Ananda Shobhajatra

বিশাল এ বাঘ শোভা পেয়েছিল ১৪১৪ সালের মঙ্গল শোভাযাত্রায়। লক্ষ প্রাণের উচ্ছ্বল এই শোভাযাত্রায় এবার ছেদ টেনেছে করোনাভাইরাস।

Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooki has said there has been no discussion to change the name of Mangal Shobhajatra, the traditional Bangla New Year’s procession in Bangladesh.

He said this following a meeting at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University on Monday, where preparations for the upcoming Bangla New Year 1432 celebrations were discussed.

“This year’s celebration marks the 'post-fascist' New Year and will span two days, with national-level arrangements for both Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Baishakh,” Farooki said.

The advisor added that the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University has already begun extensive preparations.

“They are working tirelessly, and many others will join, including cultural teams from different ethnic groups and private universities,” he said.

On Sunday, during a Ministry of Cultural Affairs briefing, Farooki had hinted at a possible name change of Mangal Shobhajatra, saying: “The name of this procession will be decided in a meeting tomorrow [Monday].”

Pointing out that the procession did not start with the name of Mangal Shobhajatra, Farooki said: “It was called Ananda Shobhajatra, from where the Mangal Shobhajatra came. The name that has been changed once, if there is a consensus, will be renamed and it is unlikely if everyone isn’t in favour.

"This procession is not just for Bengalis. It is for Bengalis, Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, everyone. Therefore, we need to give it a name that belongs to all of us, so they don't end up being bracketed separately."

On Monday, Dhaka University Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed said unequivocally that no discussion had taken place regarding a name change.

In a media statement issued after the meeting on New Year celebrations, Dhaka University’s public relations department said this year’s procession would be organised on a larger scale, with greater diversity, and under the theme "Symphony of the New Year, End of 'Fascism'".

It will commence at 9am from the Faculty of Fine Arts, proceed past Shishu Park and Shahbagh, and conclude at Dhaka University’s TSC.

Mangal Shobhajatra is a festival of Bengali soul, and has already been recognised as a cultural heritage by UNESCO on Nov 30, 2016.

SECURITY MEASURES AND RESTRICTIONS

The university’s press statement also outlined security protocols for the event:

• Masks, except those crafted by the Faculty of Fine Arts, will be prohibited. No bags will be allowed on the university grounds on Pahela Baishakh.
• Attendees must refrain from playing or selling vuvuzelas.
• All events must conclude by 5pm, after which campus entry will be restricted.
• No vehicles other than those with university stickers will be permitted to enter campus after 7pm on Apr 13.
• On Apr 14, all vehicles, including motorcycles, will be banned from campus.
• Residents of the university campus may only use designated entry points at Nilkhet and Palashi to enter the area in their own vehicles.
• Suhrawardy Udyan’s gate behind the Raju sculpture will be closed on Apr 14.
• People coming to the university campus can use the Faculty of Fine Arts gate, the Suhrawardy Udyan gate near Bangla Academy, and the Engineering Institute gate to enter Suhrawardy Udyan.
• Exit route from Suhrawardy Udyan will be through the Engineering Institute, Ramna Kali Mandir, and Bangla Academy gates.

Additionally, a help desk, control room, and temporary medical camp will be set up near TSC, while mobile public toilets will be installed across key locations on campus.

The university has also requested that law-enforcing agencies install and monitor CCTV cameras and archways for enhanced security.