Student Organizations Protest Government Interference in Mangal Shobhajatra

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Students’ Union and Bangladesh Chhatra League-BCL (JSD) have protested against the interference by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and intelligence agencies in organizing the traditional Mangal Shobhajatra, sidelining its original organizers from the beginning.

The Bangladesh Students’ Union has refused to accept the renaming of the historic procession to “Borshoboron Anondo Shobhajatra” (New Year Joy Procession) just three days before Bengali New Year, insisting it should continue as “Mangal Shobhajatra.”

In a separate press release on Friday, Bangladesh Chhatra League-BCL also protested the move.

The organization’s President Gautam Chandra Sheel and Acting General Secretary Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman stated in a joint statement: “Changing the name of Mangal Shobhajatra under pressure from communal groups is against the country’s free cultural practices. This procession, which began as a torch of rebellion against dictator Ershad, gradually united people from all walks of life.”

The organization claims that since the post-uprising period, the government has blatantly interfered in this independent initiative by teachers and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts. As a result, the student organizers responsible for the procession have withdrawn their involvement.

The Students’ Union alleges that the interim government has helplessly surrendered to “fascist communal mobs” regarding the name change and vows to resist any administrative decisions favoring such forces.

The student body accuses the authorities of excluding students from decision-making despite the procession traditionally being a collective effort of teachers and students.

The release states: “They made controversial decisions regarding motifs against students’ opinions and were later forced to backtrack due to public outrage.”

This year’s “Anondo Shobhajatra” features watermelon motifs as symbols of solidarity with oppressed Muslims in Palestine.

The Students’ Union claims to have witnessed “naked interference” by the cultural ministry and intelligence agencies, sidelining core organizers from the outset.

It further states that even during Awami fascist rule, the procession faced severe government interference, and the current administration appears to be continuing such practices.

Demanding resistance against this “anti-people plan” to impose administrative and state control over Mangal Shobhajatra by snatching it from students, the Students’ Union has called for united protests.