Udichi Pahela Boishakh program, statement unexpected: Arafat

State Minister for information and broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat.

Dhaka, April 15 — State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Monday said that the Bengali New Year programme that was organised by Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi defying the directives of the government followed by its negative statement was unexpected and unfortunate.

"Udichi Shilpigoshthi's programme 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 programme defying the government's prohibition?” the state minister asked.

"We think that those who will hold programmes 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 programme in Jashore on Pahela Baishakh, he said.

He said several members of the police sacrificed their lives to prevent terrorist attacks at Holey Artisan, Eid Jammat 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.

Pahela Baishakh 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 Pahela Baishakh, he said.

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