Describing the Pahela Baishakh celebrations as part of the country’s tradition, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon people to stay alert to misinformation regarding the festival.
“There’s no link between the celebrations of Bangla New Year and the religion… the festival is part of [our] cultural tradition,” she said.
Hasina was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Narsingdi Zilla Parishad Chairman Abdul Matin Bhuiyan at her office.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the event.
Bangla New Year has been celebrated since the Mughal period and the Mangal Shobhajatra was also introduced at the same time, the premier said.
“The word Mangal is not derived from the Hindu religion and the practice of Halkhata began during the Mughal rule. There’s no scope for spreading confusion about it.”
She termed Pahela Baishakh a universal festival which is celebrated by the people of all faiths. “It’s the only festival celebrated by the people of all religions together.”
Even China and Iran celebrated New Year and there was no justification to mingle it with religion, Hasina said.
She also reiterated her call for not eating hilsa on Pahela Baishakh to help boost its production.
“I would like to call upon all not to catch and eat hilsa on Pahela Baishakh…. Instead, you can take khichuri [hotch-potch], panta bhat [fermented rice], vegetables, fried egg and burnt dried chilli.”
Earlier, the PM administered the oath to the zilla parishad chairman.
Matin was elected unopposed the chairman of Narsingdi Zilla Parishad in the by-polls. The post fell vacant after Asaduzzaman had died on February 1.
LGRD Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, PM’s Principal Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and Senior PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum were present.
Report: The Daily Star
