The Bangladesh government has issued a new circular detailing the observance of national and international days, maintaining several key decisions made by the interim government. The circular, released by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday (11 March), replaces the previous circular issued on 23 October 2024.
According to the new circular, several historically and politically significant days previously cancelled by the interim government will remain unobserved, including:
- 7 March – Historic Speech Day
- 17 March – Birth Anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day
- 5 August – Birth Anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Hasina’s brother
- 8 August – Birth Anniversary of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Hasina’s mother
- 15 August – Death Anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Mourning Day
- 18 October – Sheikh Russel Day
- 4 November – National Constitution Day
- 12 December – Smart Bangladesh Day
The circular also confirms that the BNP government has upheld these cancellations. Meanwhile, certain days will still be observed symbolically or in a limited manner, including “July Martyr Day” on 16 July and the July Mass Uprising Day.
The circular categorizes observances into three classes:
- Class A: 17 national-level days to be observed with full dignity, with ministers attending events and a maximum allocation of 50,000 BDT per event.
- Class B: 37 days that can be observed traditionally or for social, environmental, or developmental purposes. Ministerial involvement is encouraged, but not mandatory.
- Class C: 35 days for symbolic or limited observance. No special government allocation; ministries will decide attendance.
The circular also provides guidance for other repetitive or less relevant days, emphasizing cost-saving measures. Ministries are instructed to avoid large-scale events that may disrupt office operations, and to hold discussions, seminars, or radio/TV programs preferably on holidays or after office hours.
For special weeks, such as Education Week, Science Week, World Breastfeeding Week (1–7 August), National Livestock Week, or Armed Forces Day (21 November), ministries must follow Prime Minister-approved programs. Officials from outside Dhaka are advised not to be brought in unnecessarily to minimize expenditure.
The circular also stresses that ministries should combine overlapping observances on the same date to optimize resources and submit summaries to the Cabinet Division for review in Cabinet meetings.
This new directive seeks to streamline the observance of national and international days, balance tradition with practicality, and ensure government resources are used efficiently.
