Criticizing Udichi's Pahela Baishakh Celebration Angers Cultural Luminaries, Progressive Platforms

 
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi is the largest cultural organization in Bangladesh. The organization's goal is the struggle to build what it deems a just, free, and equal society. It was organized in East Pakistan by revolutionary novelists Satyen Sen, Ranesh Das Gupta along with numerous youths in 1968, and through 1971 it operated a cultural campaign. At the opening of the Bangladesh Liberation War, its members fought for independence. In 2013, the organization was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the country's most prestigious award. 1999 Jessore bombings by Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh, in which 2 time bombs killed 10 people and injure another 150, was a terrorist attack on Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi.

Cultural luminaries and patriotic intellectuals, authors and scholars have condemned the statements issued by some government high-ups and law and order forces against the Pahela Baishakh celebration hosted by Udichi at Shahbagh in Dhaka on 14 April 2024.

Udichi uplifted the spirit of freedom fighters during the Liberation War of 1971. Even since Bangladesh's independence in 1971 till now, Udichi has played vital roles in enriching and sustaining Bangladesh's cultural heritage, upholding the spirit of the Liberation War of 1971 and promoting Bangladesh's traditions on the global stage. Udichi has always been against religious fundamentalism, anti-liberation quarters and radical groups. Communal flocks vandalized sculptures of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Lalon a few years ago in some parts of Bangladesh.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Monday said that the Bengali New Year program that was organized by Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi defying the directives of the government followed by its negative statement was unexpected and unfortunate.

"Udichi Shilpigoshthi's program defying the directives, issued by the government's security affairs agencies for ensuring the security of Pahela Baishakh, was an inconsiderate and unfortunate incident," he said while talking to journalists at his Secretariat office on Monday.

The government's directive was that all programs should be completed by 6pm on Pahela Boishakh. Ignoring this decision, Udichi held a ceremony after 6pm on the day.

"The government got hurt and very much shocked at this approach of Udichi," Arafat added.

"Who would take the responsibility if any accident occurred where Udichi held a program defying the government's prohibition?" the state minister questioned.

"We think that those who will hold programs without following rules or directives should take that responsibility," he said.

In the past, many people were killed and many others became paralyzed after being injured in bombings at Ramna Batamul in the capital and Udichi's program in Jessore on Pahela Baishakh, he said.

He said several members of the police sacrificed their lives to prevent terrorist attacks at Holey Artisan, Eid Jamaat at Sholakia Maidan and in Sylhet. As the government remains always vigilant to ensure the safety of people's lives and property in every event, no terrorist attack or terrorist incident has occurred in Bangladesh in the recent past, he mentioned.

He said the government seeks everyone's cooperation in this regard.

"Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, all organizations having faith in the spirit of Liberation War including Bangladesh Awami League or we all had celebrated Pahela Baishakh in Suhrawardy Udyan," he said.

Noting that ensuring security is the duty of the government, the state minister sought cooperation from all as any joyous festival doesn't turn into a sorrowful incident.

Mentioning Pohela Boishakh is celebrated properly under the initiative of the Awami League government, Arafat said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government introduced an allowance for Bengali New Year for the celebration of the Pohela Boishakh.

Besides, in response to the Cultural Affairs Ministry's appeal, Bangladesh's "Mangal Shobhajatra" was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2016, categorized on the representative list as a heritage of humanity.

The event organized by the Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, the largest anti-communal, progressive and voluntary organization of Bangladesh, defying the government directives on the Bengali New Year celebration has put the role of law enforcement agencies into question, and that is very unexpected and embarrassing, said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

The DMP said this in a press release sent by the DMP Media Centre on Monday night. Udichi organized a cultural event at the capital's Shahbagh intersection after 6:00am on Sunday protesting against the government directives on wrapping up outdoor Pahela Baishakh celebration programs before 6:00am.

The press release stated the Udichi Shilpigosthi organized the event and gave speeches protesting against the government decision, and that is very frustrating.It was very saddening to hold an event protesting against the government instruction instead of following it, and that was never expected from a progressive cultural organization Udichi Shilpigosthi.

Programs of Udichi Shilpigosthi have been subject to extremist attack in various times in the past, which is why the Udichi Shilpigosthi is expected to show respect to the security instructions of the DMP in future, the press release added.

Former President of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), esteemed politician, freedom fighter and former Vice President of DUCSU Mujahidul Islam Selim said that communal gangs and radical outfits oppose Udichi. Awami League is a pro-liberation party which has been in power for last fifteen years, Mujahidul Islam Selim further said. He added that people who believe in the ideals of 1971 should not speak against the cultural activities of Udichi.

It may be recalled that Mujahidul Islam Selim was one of the very few people back in 1975 who publicly protested the assassination of Bangabandhu.
Cultural organizer Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachchu said that Udichi supports, sustains and nurtures Bangladesh's secular spirit and cultural legacy.

Rana Dash Gupta, General Secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Unity Council said that communal political parties and militants are explicit threats to peace, harmony and stability across Bangladesh. Udichi is a bold voice against these evil forces, Rana Dash Gupta stated.