‘Bangla Academy, lift illegal bar on publisher’

Protesters are demonstrating near the main gate of Bangla Academy in condemnation of its decision to bar publishing house Shrabon Prokashoni in the Ekushey Book Fair.

In presence of writers, cultural and eminent personalities and activists, the protest kicked off inside Dhaka University campus at around 3:30pm.

“The bar on Shrabon Prokashoni is illegal. We don’t accept it. Bangla Academy must immediately withdraw its decision,” said Kafil Ahmed, noted singer and cultural activist.

Bangla Academy drew widespread flak on the social media last night after people got to know about its decision on Shrabon Prokashoni that was taken over “greater interest of the Ekushey fair”.

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

According to Bangla Academy officials, Shrabon Prokashoni 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 Ahsan, owner of Shrabon Prokashani, said he did not take any stance regarding selling of the book in the fair, but he along with others had protested the arrests.