Official Clarification Rebuts Claims of Cancelled National Holidays

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has moved to dispel a wave of misinformation regarding the 2026 public holiday schedule, asserting that no religious or national observances have been abolished. In a formal statement issued on Monday, 5 January, the government addressed various reports surfacing across Bangladeshi and Indian media outlets, as well as social media platforms, which alleged the scrapping of significant dates such as Saraswati Puja and Ashura. The administration clarified that these claims are entirely erroneous and stem from a misinterpretation of administrative documentation regarding weekend overlaps.

The confusion appears to have originated from a notification issued by the Ministry of Education, signed by Deputy Secretary Sabina Yasmin. This document lists several major festivals with a holiday count of “zero,” a designation that led some commentators to conclude the days had been struck off. However, the Press Wing explained that this is merely a standard bureaucratic procedure applied whenever a public holiday coincides with the weekly weekend (Friday and Saturday). Because these days are already non-working days, they are not recorded as additional leaves in the annual tally.

This administrative protocol is not a new development; a review of the holiday notifications from the preceding two years reveals an identical pattern. In every instance where a designated festival falls on a weekend, it is listed without an additional day’s credit to avoid double-counting. The government emphasised that the official status, cultural significance, and religious observance of these days remain fully intact, despite the lack of a separate “compensatory” holiday.

2026 Observances Coinciding with Weekly Holidays

By providing this detailed breakdown, the Press Wing intends to neutralise the false narrative that the interim government is marginalising specific communities or historical milestones. The authorities have urged media organisations to verify such sensitive information with official gazettes before publication to prevent unnecessary public concern. The administration remains committed to upholding the nation’s diverse traditions, ensuring that all citizens can celebrate their respective festivals with the customary state-recognised dignity.