Pahela Baishakh

Women group slams stricture on celebrations

A women’s organisation yesterday castigated the Sheikh Hasina administration for its ban on outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh after 5 pm on April 14. Demanding revocation of the restriction, Women Security Alliance convenor Advocate Sultana Kamal said the government is constitutionally duty-bound to give 24-hour security to the people. But the administration has slapped a ban on the outdoor celebrations of the first day of the Bengali New Year after 5 pm, which is nothing but mediaeval thinking, she told reporters at the National Press Club in the city. The demand came a day after Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced that no cultural events, massive gatherings or concerts would be allowed at open places after 5 pm on April 14. Sultana Kamal alleged that the government has actually taken the illogical decision to hide its failure to ensure security to the people on Pahela Baishakh. Another reason for such a decision could be that the government is actually afraid of communal forces, she said. Through the decision, the government has indirectly declared that the state has no responsibility if any untoward incident takes place on Pahela Baishakh after 5 pm, she said. She added that the government must ensure smooth movement of people on Pahela Baishakh. The Alliance convenor also expressed concern over continuous repression of women, and growing incidents of anti-women activities and rapes across the country. Alliance leaders Selina Ahmed, Farah Kabir and Jahanara were also present at the press conference.

 

Pahela Baishakh

Women group slams stricture on celebrations

A womens organisation yesterday castigated the Sheikh Hasina administration for its ban on outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh after 5 pm on April 14. Demanding revocation of the restriction, Women Security Alliance convenor Advocate Sultana Kamal said the government is constitutionally duty-bound to give 24-hour security to the people. But the administration has slapped a ban on the outdoor celebrations of the first day of the Bengali New Year after 5 pm, which is nothing but mediaeval thinking, she told reporters at the National Press Club in the city. The demand came a day after Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced that no cultural events, massive gatherings or concerts would be allowed at open places after 5 pm on April 14. Sultana Kamal alleged that the government has actually taken the illogical decision to hide its failure to ensure security to the people on Pahela Baishakh. Another reason for such a decision could be that the government is actually afraid of communal forces, she said. Through the decision, the government has indirectly declared that the state has no responsibility if any untoward incident takes place on Pahela Baishakh after 5 pm, she said. She added that the government must ensure smooth movement of people on Pahela Baishakh. The Alliance convenor also expressed concern over continuous repression of women, and growing incidents of anti-women activities and rapes across the country. Alliance leaders Selina Ahmed, Farah Kabir and Jahanara were also present at the press conference.