The country of Bengal is currently engaged in a cultural cold war. Every April, the Cold War escalated into a border skirmish, fighting at the forefront of the surrounding cultures and traditions. Pahera Baishaf.
This year was no exception. On April 9, a legal notice was given to the High Court, Mongolia Shobhajatra, a celebratory procession hosted by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka is cancelled. The claim it puts forward is that Mongolia Shobhajatra It is an artificial tradition that has no basis in traditional Bengali culture or history. It also claims that the use of various sculptures and works of art in the procession offends the feelings of Muslims and violates criminal laws that prohibit attacks on Islam.
A closer look reveals that these claims have no merit. on the other hand, Mongolia Shobhajatra It may be a relatively recent tradition, but it still retains significant cultural value and was granted Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO in 2016.
Moreover, it first began in 1989 as a form of protest by Dhaka University students against the dictatorship of former President HM Ershad, demonstrating the values of unity, freedom and courage inherent in our history as a nation. It also means that it is not based on any religious belief, is derived from secularism, and does not violate Islamic sentiments.
Regardless of its merits, the claim received fierce support from netizens, driven largely by religious fervor. Mongolia Shobhajatra But.
While it is fair for people to opt out of certain cultural practices for personal or religious reasons, it is not justified to forbid others from engaging in them. It is a liberal democracy, allowing free expression of most beliefs and practices.
In the end, the backlash yielded no tangible results, and the Bengali New Year celebrations went on as usual. It is likely that we will see many more potentially successful backlashes against similar Bengali traditions and practices.
Beyond the erosion of our culture, Pahera Baishaf It clearly shows a very dangerous trend of intolerance and extremism. Bangladesh has recently seen a surge in violence and harassment against vulnerable religious and indigenous minorities. Thus, there is a strong and alarming intersectionality between cultural intolerance and minority intolerance.
Unfortunately, Pahera Baishaf And the wider Bengali culture is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. It is a threat to the very fabric of our society. It is therefore important that we continue to unite ourselves through traditions and values that preserve the beauty and identity of the Bengali nation.
References:
1. UNESCO (30 November 2016). Mangal Shobhajatra of Pahera Baishaf.
2. The Daily Star (16 April 2010). Ramna Batamul bombing
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