CCNEWS: He thinks Pahela Baishakh has been a symbol of culture of Bengalis irrespective of cast and creed, their collective feelings and non-communal spirit.

He shared his thoughts with bdnews24.com on Tuesday morning after a rally at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) taken out to welcome the Bengali year 1422.

The SUST professor said: “Our new year is a festival in which everyone participates. The new year is a symbol of culture of the Bengalis, their collective love and non-communal spirit.”

“The symbol of a Razakar-free Bangladesh has been added to it (new year) now,” he added.

Zafar Iqbal said: “The more I’m seeing new years, the more I’m feeling better. I’m seeing more joy every year.”

He continued: “Hills people are celebrating the new year with Bengalis. New year is being celebrated today in every house — from remote areas to towns and cities.”

The professor urged all to take a vow to build a non-communal Bangladesh.

He lamented that the country was still not fully free of communalism.