HC allows Adarsha’s conditional participation

The High Court yesterday directed Bangla Academy to immediately allow publishing house Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the ongoing Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.

However, the court ordered Adarsha Prokashoni not to sell or display three books, about which Bangla Academy raised objections, at its stall in the Boi Mela.

Three books are: "Mediocrityr Sandhane" written by Faham Abdus Salam; "Unnayan Bivram" written by Zia Hasan and "Aprotiroddho Unnayaner Ovabanio Kothamala" written by Foyez Ahmed Tayeb.

The court also issued a rule asking Bangla Academy and the government to explain why the academy's decision not to allow Adarsha Prokashoni to run its stall in Boi Mela should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir Lytton issued the order and rule following a petition filed by Adarsha Prokashoni's proprietor Md Mahbubur Rahman challenging Bangla Academy's decision.

Soon after the court order, Mahabub Rahman told The Daily Star, "With due respect to the High Court order, we will not display or sell those three books at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela."

AKM Muzahidul Islam, member secretary of the book fair management committee, told The Daily Star, "I am yet to receive the court order. After receiving the order, we will hold a meeting to take a decision in this regard."

Lawyer Aneek R Haque appeared for the petitioner while Assistant Attorney General Selim Azad represented the state.