Bangla new year is a purely cultural event. And traditionally business open new accounting book called “hal khata”, women who can afford wears colorful shari, special meals are eaten, there are mela or local exhibitions where mostly kids goes and enjoy different rides, eats snacks and enjoy company of friends and family. That’s how traditional Bengali new years have been celebrated for ages.
But what has been seen over last few years are monkey and other animal masks and costume has been brought out including hindu holi style ritual of face and body painting. These are not original Bangladeshi tradition but mostly foreign one brought from Hindu ritual. And another interesting fact is that these rituals are practiced mostly around Bangla academy and Dhaka University venue where most prominent Bengali new year celebration takes place.
By pushing Hindu rituals into a purely cultural celebration a section of Bangladeshis (with help of indian hand) trying to impose Hindu religious overtone over majority population. And no one should expect that will bring any congenial outcome.
But Indians here and few Bangladeshis are in fact just trying to push some of Hindu rituals in guise of Bengla new year tradition.