Amid controversy and heated discussion, the Dhaka University organised Bengali New Year procession has been renamed from “Mongol Shobhajatra” to “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra”.
Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Azharul Islam Sheikh announced the decision at 11am on Friday, stating: “This year’s procession will be a joyful one that includes everyone.”
Organisers say members of 28 different ethnic communities will take part in this year’s event.
Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki had hinted at the name change at a press conference on Mar 23.
The suggestion drew criticism. The following day, the advisor said at a meeting regarding Bengali New Year 1432 celebrations that no decision had been taken to change the name of the procession.
Advisor Farooki said on Tuesday that Dhaka University authorities would discuss whether to keep the name or change it. He also alleged that his earlier comments had been “misquoted”.
On Monday, Dean Azharul had told bdnews24.com that various committees and subcommittees were involved in the event and that the decision would be finalised based on their collective opinions.
However, hints of a change in the name had been floated earlier. When Farooki had spoken to the media regarding preparations for the new year celebrations, he referred to the procession but avoided using the name Mongol Shobhajatra.
An invitation letter sent out to journalists regarding the preparations for the event from the Faculty of Fine Arts also referred to it as just a “Shobhajatra” instead of the “Mongol Shobhajatra”.
