BJP’s attempt to transmute Poila Boishak into ‘Hindu New Year’ compromises Bengal’s cultural ethics

The most auspicious and poignant cultural identity of the Bengalis, the Poila Boishak, which heralds the beginning of the Bengali new year, has become the victim of the evil machination of the RSS and BJP. April 15 was the day and Bengalis throughout the world, numbering more than 23 crore including the population of Bangladesh, were stunned to see a new interpretation of that auspicious day by Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh who gave it a communal colour.

RSS has been active in West Bengal for long, even before India achieved its independence. But it could not make any impact in the state. Though it had leaders of national fame, the Sangh could not combat the socialist and secular ideologies. Indeed, West Bengal has been the only state in eastern India where the RSS failed to entice the Hindus.

Bengali cultural ethos are so strong and vibrant that RSS’ idea of Hindutva could not prove to be a threat earlier. But in view of the ongoing Assembly polls, four phases of which are still left, the RSS and BJP yoked the Bengali New Year to Hindu religion and described it as ‘Hindu New Year’.

Ever since creation of Bengal, Poila Boishak has been celebrated as a non-religious occasion by Bengalis. It is purely a secular celebration having the appearance and fragrance of cultural festivity.

The post on Facebook ahead of Poila Boishak by Dilip Ghosh was quite revealing: “Sakalke Hindu Nava Varsher Subhechha (Greetings to everyone on the Hindu New Year)”. This post makes it explicit that the lust for power has made the state leaders to compromise their cultural ethics. It also underlines that the Bengali leadership of the party has come to accept the political line of RSS, the call to bring about ‘asol paribortan’.

Ghosh in his desperation to justify this has referred to the Hindu almanac according to which 1st day of Chaitra month is celebrated as Ram Navami. He tried linking mythological legends and folklore to claim that it was the first day of creation according to Vikram Samvat.

He argued that it was a proof of India’s pride, heritage and culture, but preferred to ignore that Poila Boishak was related to the Bengali cultural ethos. Poila Boishak symbolises Bengali New Year’s Day, the first day of the Bengali calendar.

The Bengali BJP leaders ought to have realised that Poila Boishak is a celebration of Bengali roots and culture, unblemished by modernity. It sends the message that no matter where we are, we should seek to gather, reflect, and marvel at the coming of a promising New Year.

Ghosh and other Bengali leaders ought to know that Vikram Samvat starts in 57 BC, while the Bengali calendar starts from 593 AD, which is why April 15 is the beginning of year 1428 in the Bengali calendar, and not 2078.

According to historian Sugata Bose, Bengali New Year came about through a confluence of many different traditions, as Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has shown in the chapter on the Indian calendar in ‘The Argumentative Indian’. He said the Bengali New Year’s Day had always transcended the division between religious communities in Bengal.

In sharp contrast to the BJP’s stand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could comprehend that RSS and BJP were out to destroy the Bengali culture. Addressing a rally in Darjeeling he said, “The BJP will try to stoke fires in the state. None from the BJP would be affected by it. It is the people of Bengal who will suffer.”

He also said; “We should not allow the BJP to come to power in this state. Wherever the BJP and the RSS go, they indulge in divisive politics. They spread hatred and create rifts among people… it is in their DNA”.

Nevertheless, it is encouraging to note that some of the BJP leaders are not in unison with the state leaders. Since they are in minority they are unable to resist it. Nevertheless a BJP state unit functionary said: “This is the creation of the IT cell of the national party. This is a first even for us, calling Poila Boishak a Hindu occasion. This would smear the image of the party in the public. It would prove to be counter-productive as the Trinamool Congress will accuse us of not understanding Bengal’s ethos”.

Historically the occasion came into existence after the tradition was introduced in West Bengal during emperor Akbar. Royal astronomer Fathullah Shirazi had created a new harvest calendar Fasholi Shan and it was believed to be the advent of the Bengali calendar.

The BJP leaders are trying to create an impression that Poila Boishak is a Hindu celebration. It is the part of the divisive design played by BJP leaders. Pohela Beishan connects all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of religious and regional differences. The Muslims of Bangladesh firmly believe that they are Bengalis first, unlike the people of Pakistan who aren’t sure about their ethnicity and ancestry.

For centuries, Poila Boishak has been celebrated as a religion-neutral occasion by Bengalis, including those living in Bangladesh. It is a festival for all Bengalis. They are not only trying to polarise the electorate through such statements, but striving to ruin Bengali culture.

Bangladesh organizes Mangal Shobhajatra on the occasion of the Bengali New Year’s Day. Organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka, it was recognised by the UNESCO as “a cultural heritage of humanity”.

It is sad that just for the sake of an election the BJP is attacking the cultural root of the Bengalis. It is unfortunate that the BJP is trying to bring about a cultural transformation to suit their political end.

Mamata Banerjee, on the other hand, expressed confidence that “the large family of Bengal” would stand together regardless of the BJP’s attempts at polarisation. She also said: “On the occasion of the Bengali New Year’s Day, I reaffirm my unflinching faith in Bengal’s people, who know this is the election to save Bengal, its honour and everything it stands for… its complex ethos.”

Taking a jibe at Modi and Shah, she said: “I think the people are standing firm to prevent the invasion of Bengal by Gujarat. Bengal will not be handed over to Gujarat. Otherwise, in future there will be nothing left of Bengal’s peace, culture, civilisation, identity, existence…. That is why this is a prestige battle for the people of Bengal. The BJP will be decimated in this election, that is my assessment.”

(IPA Service)

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