BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday emphasized the importance of preserving Pahela Baishakh celebrations, including the traditional Ananda Shobhajatra, as a vital part of Bangladesh's cultural heritage and national identity.
“This Baishakhi procession, the joy of Ananda Shobhajatra, and the spirit of Baishakh are not just rituals—they are elements of our living cultural legacy,” Salahuddin said while addressing a New Year celebration organized by the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) at Shatayu Prangon (Rani Mancha) in Ramna Park.
Extending Bengali New Year greetings to the audience, he called for a collective effort to protect and nurture traditions rooted in the country’s historical and rural life.
“The Baishakhi fairs, palm-leaf fans, bamboo flutes—these are not commodities but expressions of our soul. We celebrated with fermented rice and hilsa, as we always have. Our culture must remain rooted in our land, not reduced to a marketplace of manufactured meanings,” he said.
Salahuddin warned against the commercialization and distortion of cultural practices, urging vigilance against “alien elements” that he said threaten to corrupt Bangladesh’s rich historical and cultural values.
He stressed that the BNP’s observance of Pahela Baishakh across the country reflects a commitment to national heritage and the inclusive spirit of Bengali tradition—one that dates back to the Bengali calendar introduced during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
“This celebration is not confined to any single faith. It belongs to every Bangladeshi, regardless of religion or background. We, who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism, uphold a culture that transcends religious, class, or ethnic lines. This is our shared identity,” Salahuddin said.
The BNP leader concluded with a call to action: “Let us protect our heritage, resist distortion, and ensure that future generations inherit a culture that is proudly, authentically Bangladeshi.”
