Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra not a political programme: Farooki

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on Monday said that fascism is not a part of politics as fascists are evil forces in the country, and the Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra is not a political programme.

"Barshobaran Ananda Shubhajatra is not political programme . . . this year we used mask of fascists because they are part of politics," he told journalists while inaugurating the Noboborsho Ananda Shobhajatra-1432 at Dhaka University.

He clarified that the presence of such symbols in the procession does not indicate political motives. "It is a cultural expression," he said.

Farooki added, "Historically, a particular political group has tried to use the Shobhajatra at Dhaka University to counter their political opponents, but the event itself is not political."

He noted that this year’s Noboborsho celebration includes historical political elements from the Akbar era and the Sultanate period, but “there is nothing like typical politics here.”

Commenting on the renaming of the event, Farooki said the Ananda Shobhajatra was first launched by the Faculty of Fine Arts in 1989. In 1996, it was renamed Mangal Shobhajatra. This year, the authorities decided to revert to the original name, Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra.

"There was no imposition this time. The name was 'Barshobaron Shobhajatra' in Jessore. When it was brought to Dhaka, it became 'Ananda Shobhajatra'. Later, 'Mangal Shobhajatra' was imposed. This time, the Faculty of Fine Arts decided to go back to the original name," he explained.

Marking this year’s celebration as a step toward cultural unity and inclusion, Farooki said Pahela Boishakh should be considered a festival of all Bangladeshis, not just Bengalis.

"Pahela Boishakh is a festival of all Bangladeshi people, celebrated by all ethnic communities including Bengalis, Chakma, Marma, and Garo," he said. "Previously, the celebration was presented as a festival only for Bengalis, excluding others. This year, we have embraced it as a truly national festival."

Source: BSS