Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra will need approval to get new recognition: UNESCO

Afresh application needs to be filed in order to get recognition for Pohela Boishakh procession as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' under the name Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra, said United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

While replying to a query of BBC Bangla, UNESCO said as the authorities have renamed Mongol Shobhajatra to Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra, the event would need new approval to get the same recognition and the authorities must apply for getting new recognition.

On April 11, the Dhaka University authorities announced to rename 'Mingol Shobhajatra' to Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra. Discussions, criticisms and debates started on social media surrounding this decision.

In 2016, the event was included in UNESCO's list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' under the name 'Mongol Shobhajatra on Pohela Baishakh'. As a result, the question arises, what will happen to that recognition due to change?

In response, UNESCO said that such a change requires the approval of the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee'. This committee consists of representatives from 24 countries. However, no formal application has been submitted regarding the renaming so far, said a UNESCO spokesperson.

UNESCO's statement said that before any change is made, the participation of the communities concerned and stakeholders must be ensured. In addition, the potential impact must be analyzed to ensure that the heritage is not damaged.

However, UNESCO did not comment on whether the name change is acceptable in principle.

Professor Azharul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, claimed that the new name was not due to any external pressure, but to ensure the participation of all people.

He said: "Ananda Shobhajatra' was the original name in 1989, but later it was known as 'Mongol Shobhajatra'. However, he said that the fascist regime and religious groups have been arguing about the word Mongol for a long time.

Meanwhile, analysts have also raised questions about the political motives and freedom of cultural practice surrounding the name change. Some believe that this event is becoming the center of political debate. However, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who participated in the procession, said that this time the event is not political.

However, analysts have mentioned that there have been allegations of using this event for political purposes at various times in the past. They believe that the trend of political use around this event is increasing with time.