Bangla Academy lifts ban on Srabon Prokashani

Staff Correspondent: The Bangla Academy authorities withdrew its ban on Srabon Prokashani on some conditions, clearing the way for the publisher to take part in the upcoming Ekushey book fair.

The decision came at a regular meeting of the book fair executive committee on Friday.

Academy director Jalal Ahmed, also the member secretary of the book fair committee, confirmed the matter to risingbd.com.

Jalal Ahmed said, “Srabon Prokashani will be allowed to participate in the upcoming book fair if the publisher assures us not to publish any book that will hurt religious sentiments. They will have to give written statement in this regard.”

The conditions include anything that hurts religious sentiment cannot be published and the publisher must obey the book fair policies, he added.

However, Srabon Prokashani owner Robin Ahsan claimed that they had never published any type of book that hurt religious sentiments.

Recently, Bangla Academy took punitive action against 20 publications, including Shrabon Prokashani, on various charges, including violation of code of conduct of Amar Ekushey Book fair, selling pirated books and selling the books those `hurt religious sentiments`.

The academy executive council decided not to allocate stalls to Srabon Prokashani in the book fair for the next two years while Ba-Dwip, Rongin Ful, Oikya and Nil Pori publications for the next five years.

Srabon Prokashani was banned for protesting the action taken by Bangla Academy against Ba-Dwip publication for hurting religious sentiment.

Bangla Academy drew huge flak on the social media after people got to know about its decision on Shrabon Prokashoni.

On the following day, protesters including writers, cultural activists and eminent personalities staged demonstration near the main gate of Bangla Academy in condemnation of its decision.

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 30, 2016/Yeamin/Amirul