The dragon exhales fire curving its neck as it moves forward in a wavy motion. The monstrous creature seems determined to burn all the nation has achieved since independence.
This year’s theme is ‘Rajakar Mukto Bangladesh, Muktijuddher Onishesh’ (A Bangladesh Free of Razakars, No end to the Struggle for Freedom).
This inevitably raises the issue of war crimes trials to punish those responsible for the crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War and maintain its secular democratic spirit.
Mangal Shobhajatra, seeking good fortune in the New Year, is organised to welcome the first day of Bengali month Boishakh.
As always, the rally started from in front of the Fine Arts Faculty.
This year’s theme is ‘Rajakar Mukto Bangladesh, Muktijuddher Onishesh’ (A Bangladesh Free of Razakars, No end to the Struggle for Freedom).
This inevitably raises the issue of war crimes trials to punish those responsible for the crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War and maintain its secular democratic spirit.
Mangal Shobhajatra, seeking good fortune in the New Year, is organised to welcome the first day of Bengali month Boishakh.
As always, the rally started from in front of the Fine Arts Faculty.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddiqui, Pro-Vice Chancellor Shahid Akhter Hussain, Fine Arts Faculty Dean Syed Abul Barok Alvi, Television and Film Studies department Chairman AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, among others, attended the procession.
The police enforced a three-layer security for the Shobhajatra. Members of the Dhaka University's National Cadet Core were also drafted in to provide security.
Mangal Shobhajatra went up to Hotel Ruposhi Bangla and returned to the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, where it ended.
Many wore turbans or simply wrapped the national flag on their forehead, some were seen dressed as peasants. Others were seen with placards demanding trials and punishments of the war criminals while many carried Bangladesh’s flag used with the country’s map at the centre.
The organisers say this year’s rally began with the vow to build a ‘razakar-free’ Bangladesh, meaning there would be no place for those who supported the Pakistani campaign against the Bengali independence movement.
Thousands of people from far and near attended the rally.
Manabendra Ghosh, Coordinator of this year’s rally, told bdnews24.com: “Maximum penalty for the war criminals has become the demand of the people. The dragon represents those evil forces."
“We want Bangladesh to move ahead with its arts, literature, culture and tradition. But the evil forces want to destroy them. We want to keep alive these Bengali traditions for all time to come.”
The organisers want to express their solidarity with the ongoing Shahbgah movement, seeking maximum penalty for war crimes by using the mythical dragon.
This dragon was placed on a 30-foot wooden frame on a hand-pulled cart.
Organisers say this year’s rally would stress the desire to establish a country free from 'war criminals' in the nation’s 42nd year of independence.
There were some other artefacts such as symbolic rickshaws, crocodiles and horses to highlight the Bengali culture, tradition and history.
While East Asians considers the dragon a symbol of good fortune and authority, in South Asia it is often seen as the evil.
Manabendra Ghosh said the dragon here was to signify all those who had opposed the nation’s birth. “They are not of this land. The wild looks best in the forest and the Razakars look best in Pakistan. Those who do not love this country can’t live here.”
Mangal Shobhajatra went up to Hotel Ruposhi Bangla and returned to the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, where it ended.
Many wore turbans or simply wrapped the national flag on their forehead, some were seen dressed as peasants. Others were seen with placards demanding trials and punishments of the war criminals while many carried Bangladesh’s flag used with the country’s map at the centre.
The organisers say this year’s rally began with the vow to build a ‘razakar-free’ Bangladesh, meaning there would be no place for those who supported the Pakistani campaign against the Bengali independence movement.
Thousands of people from far and near attended the rally.
Manabendra Ghosh, Coordinator of this year’s rally, told bdnews24.com: “Maximum penalty for the war criminals has become the demand of the people. The dragon represents those evil forces."
“We want Bangladesh to move ahead with its arts, literature, culture and tradition. But the evil forces want to destroy them. We want to keep alive these Bengali traditions for all time to come.”
The organisers want to express their solidarity with the ongoing Shahbgah movement, seeking maximum penalty for war crimes by using the mythical dragon.
This dragon was placed on a 30-foot wooden frame on a hand-pulled cart.
Organisers say this year’s rally would stress the desire to establish a country free from 'war criminals' in the nation’s 42nd year of independence.
There were some other artefacts such as symbolic rickshaws, crocodiles and horses to highlight the Bengali culture, tradition and history.
While East Asians considers the dragon a symbol of good fortune and authority, in South Asia it is often seen as the evil.
Manabendra Ghosh said the dragon here was to signify all those who had opposed the nation’s birth. “They are not of this land. The wild looks best in the forest and the Razakars look best in Pakistan. Those who do not love this country can’t live here.”
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