Mangal Shobhajatra on This Year’s Bengali New Year Politically Motivated and Flattering—Not Involving Us: DU Faculty of Fine Arts

Mangal Shobhajatra on This Year’s Bengali New Year Politically Motivated and Flattering—Not Involving Us: DU Faculty of Fine Arts

Students from the 26th batch (2017-18 session) of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, have alleged that this year’s Bengali New Year (1432) celebrations were politically motivated. In a statement, they clarified that they had no involvement with this year’s Mangal Shobhajatra.

However, Professor Azharul Islam Sheikh, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, dismissed this statement as misleading.

On Wednesday, a statement titled “Clear Statement on Mangal Shobhajatra” was sent to the media, signed by “General Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts from the 26th Batch.”

The statement claimed that students had no connection with this year’s Bengali New Year celebrations.

It further explained,
"Traditionally, Pohela Boishakh celebrations are organized under the supervision of a specific batch, with joint efforts from students and teachers. The entire funding for the event is usually collected through the sale of artwork by students and faculty. According to this tradition, our batch was supposed to take responsibility this year. However, this year's event has been organized entirely by teachers, without any approval or involvement from students, which goes against our beliefs and practices."

The statement also mentioned,
"Additionally, the decision to organize this event in an academic framework was taken suddenly, without any prior consultation with current students or student representatives. A specific group of students and teachers were involved in making this decision."

The students alleged that the designs and ideas for the structures in the Mangal Shobhajatra were solely provided by the teachers, and that general students were neither involved nor informed about the process.

Regarding the structure of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, the statement said,
"We were unaware of it and do not support any action that would offend anyone’s personal ideology."

The statement further claimed,
"Due to the sycophantic attitude of those involved in organizing this event, we do not support the teachers’ version of the Bengali New Year celebrations and the Mangal Shobhajatra."

In response, Professor Azharul Islam Sheikh told BBC Bangla,
"Those who issued this statement are no longer students of the Faculty of Fine Arts; they have already graduated."

He added,
"Since 1989, both current and former students, along with teachers, have participated in organizing the Mangal Shobhajatra. In 2006, a specific batch was given responsibility for the event. However, this year, the decision was made—based on the opinions of all teachers and students—to involve everyone once again."

He further questioned,
"There might be a political intention behind this statement. Some students from the same batch who issued the statement are still participating in the event. So, isn’t their claim politically motivated? Are they deliberately trying to create controversy around a national celebration?"

Source: BBC Bangla