‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ remains on heritage list despite Yunus govt renaming it

The new name will not conflict with UNESCO recognition, as its essence is preserved, says an organiser

Despite the interim government’s move to rename the traditional Bangla New Year procession as “Anondo Shobhajatra” the festival remains registered as “Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh” on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

UNESCO has clarified that it does not take a stance on national naming decisions, as such matters fall under the sovereign jurisdiction of member states.

Any formal change to the international listing, however, requires an official application from the government, the UNESCO says.

UNESCO's Head of Office and Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize told bdnews24.com via email that the Bangladesh government must submit a formal request if it wishes to synchronise the title with the new domestic name.

"According to the Operational Directives of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, such requests must be submitted at least three months before a committee session for consideration," Vize said.

Officials from the Cultural Heritage Division of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they are unaware of any formal application being sent to UNESCO regarding the name change.

Prof Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, confirmed that this year’s procession will also be held under the name “Anondo Shobhajatra”.

Despite the rebranding, Azharul argued that the core characteristics of the march remain unchanged.

He believes the new name will not conflict with the UNESCO recognition, as the essence of the cultural heritage is preserved.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has described the brewing controversy over renaming the traditional “Mangal Shobhajatra” as pointless, asserting that Pahela Baishakh will be celebrated following its long-standing traditions.

The procession, which originated in the 1980s as a symbolic protest against military rule, earned UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition in 2016.

After the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus changed the name of the procession following pressure from religious groups who have long opposed the term “Mangal” (auspicious).

In 2025, the procession saw the word “Mangal” dropped in favour of “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra”.

A recent government media release further fuelled the debate by omitting a specific name, referring to it simply as the "Barshabaran Shobhajatra" organised by Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the minister played down the distinction between the two names.

"What is the difference between Mangal and Anondo? There is as much joy in a Mangal Shobhajatra as there is in an Anondo Shobhajatra. There is no real difference," he said.