Dhaka Bureau: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat has commented that it is undesirable and sad to ignore the instructions issued by the government and make negative statements in Udichi.
The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting made this comment regarding the Udichi ceremony on Pahela Baisakh and made a statement in his office room at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon, ignoring the instructions of the government.
The state minister also said that it was obstinate and unfortunate that the Udichi artistes’ performance was disregarding the instructions issued by the government’s security agency to ensure security on Pahela Boishakh. The government is very saddened and shocked by their behavior.
He also said that many people lost their lives and were maimed in bomb blasts at Ramna Botmule and Udichi in Jessore on Pahela Boishakh. A number of police personnel sacrificed their lives and saved people’s lives in preventing terrorist attacks by Eid Jamaat in Holy Artizan, Sholakia Maidan, and Sylhet. As the government is always vigilant to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property in every event, no terrorist attacks or terrorist incidents have occurred in Bangladesh in the recent past. The government seeks everyone’s cooperation in this regard.
The Minister of State for Information also said that Begum Khaleda Zia’s government had obstructed the celebration of the Bengal Centenary in 1993 in 1400 Bengal. Their ban was not for security reasons but to discourage this universal, non-communal Bengali festival. The Bangladesh Awami League, along with all the organizations that believe in the spirit of liberation war under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, celebrated Pahela Baisakh at Suhrawardy Udyan.
The state minister also said that it is the government’s duty to provide security. I hope everyone will always cooperate in this matter so that the event of joy does not turn into sadness.
Questioning who would take the responsibility if any accident happens in the event that has been organized in violation of the government ban, the state minister further said, We think that those who will do the event without following the rules or instructions should take that responsibility.
Pointing out that Pahela Boishakh was properly celebrated by the Awami League government, the state minister added that the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arranged Bengali New Year allowances for Pahela Boishakh celebrations. In 2016, the United Nations body UNESCO included Bangladesh’s ‘Mangal Shobhayatra’ in the list of important intangible cultural heritages of the world, following the request of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs during his government.
