Hilsha fish would not be on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s menu during this year’s celebration of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, said a press release yesterday. The media release signed by Ihsanul Karim, press secretary to the prime minister, said that Sheikh Hasina would not eat Hilsha on Pahela Baishakh in a bid to protect the national fish. The announcement comes at a time when debate over eating Hilsha during Bangla New Year’s celebration is sweeping the country. The celebration takes place weeks after the spawning season of the fish that is considered a delicacy among Bengali people.