Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Sunday said the traditional procession held on Pohela Boishakh will be called Boishakhi Shobhajatra instead of Ananda Shobhajatra or Mangal Shobhajatra.
He made the announcement after a meeting at the Secretariat on preparations for the Bangla New Year celebrations, including programs involving ethnic communities such as the Chakma, Marma, Tripura and Garo.
Speaking to reporters, he said the decision was taken to end the ongoing debate over the procession’s name.
“There has been a controversy over the name of the procession, and we want to bring an end to this debate,” he said. “The procession will be held with due dignity, showcasing the cultures of all communities.”
He said participants would take part with traditional musical instruments, attire and cultural expressions to create a festive atmosphere reflecting the country’s diversity.
According to the minister, the new name was chosen to highlight the spirit of the Bangla month of Boishakh.
“We want to emphasize Boishakh in everything — Boishakhi fair, Boishakhi procession, Boishakhi celebrations — this is our decision,” he said.
He recalled that the procession was first introduced in 1989 during the Ershad administration as Ananda Shobhajatra. Later, after the Awami League came to power in 1996, the name was changed to Mangal Shobhajatra, while the interim government recently reverted it to Ananda Shobhajatra.
He said differing opinions over the name had created tensions, which the government wanted to resolve through a neutral naming approach.
“We do not want division in society. We want unity in diversity,” he said. “In a democratic society, people will have different views and ideologies — that is the beauty of democracy.”
Responding to a question about Unesco recognition, he said the international body had recognized the cultural heritage of Pohela Boishakh celebrations, not a specific name of the procession.
“We will inform Unesco that the procession will now be known as Boishakhi Shobhajatra,” he said. “UNESCO recognized the festival of Boishakh and Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, not just the procession.”