Government Refutes Rumours of Scrapped Religious Holidays

The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser has issued a firm clarification regarding the 2026 public holiday calendar, dismissing widespread reports that several significant religious and national observances have been cancelled. In a statement released via social media on Monday, 5 January, the government addressed claims circulating in both Bangladeshi and Indian media outlets which suggested that holidays such as Saraswati Puja and Ashura had been struck from the official schedule. The Press Wing categorised these reports as entirely baseless, explaining that the confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding of how the holiday list is structured when observances coincide with the weekend.

According to the official notification signed by Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the “zero” day count attributed to certain dates in the Ministry of Education’s calendar is a standard administrative practice. This occurs specifically when a public holiday falls on a Friday or a Saturday—days that are already designated as weekly holidays in Bangladesh. Consequently, these dates are not tallied as additional days off, but the sanctity and official status of the occasion remain unchanged. This methodology is consistent with the government’s approach over the previous two years, where no supplementary holidays were granted for festivals overlapping with the weekend.

The controversy gained traction on social media platforms after several outlets misinterpreted the 2026 academic calendar. Critics and commentators had wrongly asserted that the interim administration was targeting specific cultural and religious festivities, including Buddha Purnima, Janmashtami, and the International Mother Language Day. By cross-referencing the current decree with historical data, the Press Wing demonstrated that the “zero-day” designation is a neutral budgetary and administrative notation rather than a policy shift or a cancellation of religious rights.

Scheduled Observances Falling on Weekends in 2026

The following table outlines the specific dates in 2026 where the holiday count is listed as “zero” due to their coincidence with weekly holidays:

The government has urged the public and the media to exercise caution and verify facts before sharing information that could potentially incite communal or social disharmony. The Press Wing reiterated that all national and religious festivals will be observed with their traditional solemnity and state support. By maintaining transparency regarding the 2026 schedule, the administration hopes to quell any further misinformation regarding the nation’s commitment to its diverse cultural heritage and established statutory breaks.