Jamaat MP orders not to recite Gita at Independence Day celebrations in Tanore

The Gita has been recited with the Quran at the event despite the instructions

Jamaat-e-Islami MP Mujibur Rahman's instructions not to recite the Gita at Independence and National Day celebrations in Rajshahi’s Tanore Upazila have sparked discussion and criticism.

However, Tanore Upazila administrator (UNO) Naima Khan ignored the informal instructions from the local MP given over the phone on Wednesday, a day before the Independence Day event.

At 8am on Thursday, the parade and reception for brave freedom fighters at Tanore Daak Bungalow ground included a recitation of both the Gita and the Quran.

A video of Naima discussing the MP’s instructions about the Gita reading after the event has gone viral on social media, sparking debate and criticism.

She said, “On Tuesday, I spoke to the MP of Rajshahi-1 constituency over the phone to invite him to the event. At that time, he verbally advised not to hold the Gita reading.

“The Gita was also recited at other locations, and the MP’s representative and Upazila Jamaat chief Alamgir Hossain were informed so the programme could continue as scheduled.

“The women’s affairs officer recited the Gita with translation, while the MP joined the event after it began, and the Upazila party chief was present from the start.

In a 28-second video, journalist Abdus Sabur asked the UNO if the MP had instructed against reciting the Gita, to which she replied the Gita is included in programmes across the district and other Upazilas, noting that all religions participate in state events.

Mujibur said, “Different governments at different times have determined the subject of religious readings according to their views.

“When Islam was included in the constitution as the state religion, only the Quran was recited.”

He claimed to be unaware of the Gita being recited in Tanore, emphasising that only the Quran is recited at parliamentary oath ceremonies, in line with the constitution.

Manindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, criticised any directive to stop the Gita recitation, saying: “People of all religions contributed to the liberation war. Readings from all religious scriptures should be part of state ceremonies.”