Bangladesh interim govt's Religious Affairs Advisor says no plans to change national anthem

Bangladesh interim government's Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain dismissed recent calls to change the national anthem of Bangladesh, saying the government will not do anything to create controversy.

Speaking to the media on Sep 7, Khalid clarified that the government has no intention to do anything which might create chaos in the country.

“The interim government will not do anything to create controversy,” he told the media after visiting the Islamic Foundation in Rajshahi and attending a gathering of dignitaries.

His statement comes after Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, the son of former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ghulam Azam, called for a change in the country's national anthem and Constitution earlier this week.

"I leave the matter of the national anthem to this government. The current national anthem we have is contrary to the existence of our independent Bangladesh. It reflects the time of the Bengal partition and the merging of the two Bengals," Azmi was quoted as saying.

"How can an anthem created to unite the two Bengals become the national anthem of an independent Bangladesh? This anthem was imposed on us by India in 1971. Many songs could serve as a national anthem. The government should form a new commission to select a new national anthem," he said.

Khalid also said that Bangladesh wants a friendly relationship with India.

“We have heard reports of attacks on our cricket team in India. Since the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in charge, they will decide on the necessary course of action,” the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted the advisor as saying.

Addressing the alleged targeted attacks on minorities after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on Aug 5, Khalid said there had been attacks on both Hindu and Muslim communities and that those attacks should not be viewed differently.

He further claimed that “Madrasa students were never involved in terrorism. That was propaganda and conspiracy by the previous government.”

As Durga Puja is around the corner, the Religious Affairs Advisor said local citizens as well as madrasa students will guard temples to prevent any untoward incident.

Bangladesh is currently under the leadership of an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus, following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Months of violent student protests against the job quota system escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations leading to fall of Hasina's government.