Paromita Das
New Delhi: Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, is a day of joy, renewal, and cultural unity in Bangladesh. Every year, on April 14th, millions gather to celebrate the festival with music, processions, traditional foods, and cultural performances. The heart of the festivities in Dhaka takes place under the sprawling Ramna Batamul Banyan tree in Ramna Park, where people from all communities come together in a spirit of harmony.
However, this year, the celebrations are under threat. Extremist groups have issued alarming threats to slaughter 100 cows at Ramna Park on Pohela Boishakh, an act clearly designed to provoke and hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. This development has sparked deep concerns among Bangladesh’s minorities, given the history of communal violence in the country. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has remained largely silent, failing to offer a definitive assurance of protection for the Hindu community. With less than two months to go before the festival, anxiety and fear are growing, leaving many wondering whether this year’s Pohela Boishakh will be marred by violence and unrest.
The Cultural and Religious Importance of Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh is deeply rooted in Bengali culture and history. It marks the beginning of the new agricultural cycle and is celebrated with grand processions, fairs, and performances. Originally introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar as the Bangla Shon (Bengali calendar) to facilitate tax collection, the festival has since evolved into a secular celebration that unites people across religious lines.
One of the most significant events is the gathering at Ramna Park, organized by Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyatan, an institution dedicated to promoting Bengali culture and music since 1961. The event has long symbolized resistance against religious extremism and the preservation of Bangladesh’s secular identity. In recent years, however, Islamic hardliners have increasingly targeted such celebrations, branding them as “un-Islamic” and attempting to disrupt them through violence and intimidation.
The Growing Threat from Extremists
The threat to slaughter 100 cows in Ramna Park during Pohela Boishakh has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community. Cows are sacred in Hinduism, and the act of publicly killing them at a Hindu-majority cultural event is an unmistakable act of provocation. This attempt to incite communal disharmony follows a troubling pattern of rising attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh since the political shift in 2024.
When asked about the threats, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, an adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, dismissed them, stating, “Many people say many things on social media… We cannot respond to everything said there as government authorities.” His casual approach to the matter has been widely criticized, as history has shown that threats originating online often translate into real-world violence.
The extremist group ‘Tawhidi Janata’ is suspected to be behind these threats. This radical Islamist faction has been involved in previous violent attacks on Hindu festivals and processions. Their growing influence, coupled with the current government’s passive stance, has emboldened such groups to act with impunity.
A Troubling Political Landscape
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in religious extremism and attacks on Hindu minorities. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has been accused of appeasing Islamists by releasing hardline clerics and convicted terrorists.
The threats against Pohela Boishakh must be viewed in this larger context. Reports suggest that over 205 Hindu temples, businesses, and homes were attacked within three days of Sheikh Hasina’s departure. Hindu professors, government officials, and journalists have faced intimidation, forced resignations, and even arrest. There has also been an increase in forced conversions, with Hindu families being coerced into joining extremist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami.
The Yunus administration has consistently downplayed these attacks, dismissing them as “exaggerated” or “politically motivated.” Instead of cracking down on radical elements, the government has chosen to target Hindu activists and leaders. The recent arrest of Hindu journalist Munni Saha and the vandalization of multiple temples, including the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple, further highlight the systematic persecution of minorities under this administration.
A History of Violence on Pohela Boishakh
This is not the first time Pohela Boishakh has been targeted by extremists. In 2001, the Islamic terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) carried out bomb blasts at Ramna Park, killing nine people and injuring over 50. Although some of the perpetrators were convicted in 2014, many remain at large, evading justice.
Given this history, the threats for 2025 cannot be taken lightly. Extremist groups in Bangladesh have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to use violence to disrupt secular and non-Islamic celebrations. With the government’s reluctance to act decisively, there is a real danger that these threats will materialize.
The Growing Fear Among Bangladesh’s Hindus
For Bangladesh’s Hindu community, the threat of cow slaughter is just the latest in a long series of attacks aimed at erasing their cultural and religious identity. Over the past year, Hindu deities have been vandalized, temples set on fire, and religious leaders arrested on false charges. The fear is not just about one event—it is about an ongoing pattern of persecution that is making it increasingly difficult for Hindus to practice their faith openly.
The possibility of violence on Pohela Boishakh raises an urgent question: Will Bangladesh’s secular and pluralistic identity survive? The festival has always been a celebration of Bengali heritage beyond religious boundaries, but if extremists succeed in their mission, it could mark the beginning of the end for Bangladesh’s multicultural traditions.
Conclusion: Will the Government Act?
The threats to Pohela Boishakh should be a wake-up call for the Bangladeshi government and international human rights organizations. The festival is not just a cultural event; it is a test of Bangladesh’s commitment to secularism and minority rights.
If the government fails to prevent extremist groups from carrying out their threats, it will send a clear message that religious minorities in Bangladesh are no longer safe. The international community must pressure the Yunus administration to take decisive action against radical groups, ensure the protection of Hindu minorities, and uphold the country’s secular fabric.
Pohela Boishakh is meant to be a time of joy, unity, and hope for a better future. But for Bangladesh’s Hindu community, this year’s celebrations are clouded by fear. The world is watching—will Bangladesh stand for secularism, or will it allow extremism to dictate its future?
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