Ban on Shrabon Prokashani withdrawn

Amid widespread criticism and protests from writers and cultural activists, Bangla Academy yesterday withdrew its decision to ban Shrabon Prokashani from the Amar Ekushey book fair for the next two years.

Stalls would be allotted to the publishing house if it agreed to obey “some conditions”, Jalal Ahmed, member secretary of the book fair committee, told The Daily Star.

The conditions include the house would not publish anything that hurts people's religious sentiments. It also must follow the policies of the book fair, said Jalal, who is also a director of the Bangla Academy that organises the fair every year.

The decision to withdraw the ban was taken at a regular meeting of the academy's executive committee, he said.

In another meeting on November 10, the executive council of the academy had decided not to allocate any stall for Shrabon Prokashani at two consecutive book fairs “for taking a stance against the Academy's action” during this year's book fair.

But Robin Ahsan, owner of the publishing house, came to know the decision on Monday when his manager went to the academy to collect a form to apply for a stall in the book fair, scheduled to start on February 1.

As the news spread, several writers, rights and cultural activists took to the social media to protest the ban. On Tuesday, they held a demonstration in front of the academy, urging the government to suspend the director general of the academy for “making the illegal decision”.

They also vowed to continue the protest until the academy revoked its decision.

On Wednesday, Robin Ahsan submitted an application to the academy seeking review of the decision.

Contacted, the publisher yesterday welcomed the new decision of the academy.

“The executive body [of the academy] has taken the right decision now. Its conditions have to be followed by all the participants in the fair,” he said.

He, however, said he was yet to get any formal notice from the academy in this regard.

WHY IT WAS BANNED?

During this year's book fair, the academy shut down Ba-Dwip Prakashan's stall for selling a book that “hurts religious sentiments”. Later, law enforcers arrested three people, including the editor of the “controversial book”.

According to Bangla Academy officials, Shrabon Prokashani had “taken a stance” that could have allowed the book concerned to be sold inside the academy's fair. Hence, the authorities barred the publishing house in the fair for the next two years.

However, Robin denied the allegation saying he did not take any stance regarding selling of the book in the fair, but he along with others had protested the way of the arrest of a few publishers.