Adviser Farooki now says Mangal Shobhajatra name won't be changed

The name of the iconic procession of the Bengali New Year, the 'Mangal Shobhajatra', is not going to be changed and no discussion has been held regarding this, officials including Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki today (24 March).

Thus, was finalised at a meeting presided over by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan at the Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University today, where stakeholders gathered to discuss the upcoming Bengali New Year 1432 celebrations.

This year's Pahela Baishakh celebration will span two days, and the slogan for this year's Mangal Shobhajatra will be 'Noboborsher Oikkotan, Fascibaader Oboshan' (Harmony of New Year, End of Fascism), as announced in the meeting.

The debate over renaming the Mangal Shobhajatra surfaced following a statement made by Mostafa Sarwar Farooki on Sunday. The issue sparked reactions on social media, prompting discussions among stakeholders.

However, speaking to reporters after the meeting, Farooki clarified that there was no discussion about changing the name. "There has been no discussion regarding the name change, and we have made the slogan for this year's celebration as 'Noboborsher Oikkotan, Fascibaader Oboshan,'" he confirmed to reporters after the meeting.

The two-day celebration will also include Chaitra Sankranti festivities alongside the traditional Pahela Baishakh events, the Cultural Adviser said. Preparation for the festivities and the Mongol Shobhajatra have already been started and the festivities will be joined by both public and private universities, Farooki told the reporters on Monday.

After a meeting with stakeholders at the Secretariat yesterday, Farooki said: "This Shobhajatra was initially called 'Anando Shobhajatra', and later it became 'Mangal Shobhajatra'. Since it has already undergone one name change, it could change again if there's consensus; if everyone is in favour, it might not be changed."

The Cultural Adviser also said this year's Shobhajatra is no longer just for Bangalees; it is for everyone including the Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, and others. "We must ensure the name reflects inclusivity, so it doesn't feel exclusive or limited to one group. We want to avoid putting anyone in a bracket," said the Adviser.

On Sunday, Farooki also said that this year's Mangal Shobhajatra, which will involve participation from all ethnic groups, will feature new elements including colours, scents, and melodies. "This time, you will see new things in the Shobhajatra that will come out from the Faculty of Fine Arts and others. You will witness these changes firsthand," he mentioned:

Mangal Shobhajatra, organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. It symbolizes the spirit of unity, peace, and secularism in Bangladesh.