Bangla Academy created stigmatised chapter by disallowing some stalls, books: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said that Bangla Academy has created a stigmatised chapter by ‘unfairly’ closing various stalls and not allowing the display of some books in its book fair.

“Bangla Academy was established to promote the Bengali language and ensure the free exercise of thought and freedom of expression. It is unfortunate that Bangla Academy now created a scandalous chapter by disallowing various stalls and display of some books unfairly,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul strongly condemned and protested such attitude of the Bangla Academy, reports UNB.

“We’ll take a fresh oath on this February 21 for restoring democracy in Bangladesh, establish the rights to speak, free thought, to write, and the freedom of the people in Bangladesh,” he said.

Bangla Academy did not allow publishing house Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the ongoing Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, raising its objection about three books—“Bangalir Mediocrityr Sondhane" written by Faham Abdus Salam, "Unnayan Bivram" written by Zia Hasan and "Aprotiroddho Unnayaner Ovabanio Kothamala" written by Fayej Ahmed Taiyab.

Faham Abdus Salam, the writer of the book ‘Bangalir Mediocrityr Sondhane’ is the son-in-law of Mirza Fakhrul.

Even after 51 years of the country's independence, Fakhrul lamented that the nation has been deprived of its democratic and other rights and deprived of freedom of thought, speech and writing.

He alleged that the country is now being ruled by an autocratic government that has been repressing the opposition leaders and activists. "Many of our leaders and workers are still in jail while around 40 lakh people across the country have been implicated in false and ghost cases.”

The BNP leader said the ruling party has been hatching a serious plot to restore the one-party rule.

Under the current situation in the country, Fakhrul called upon people from all walks of life to come forward and put up a strong resistance against the current regime. “We’re going to celebrate February-21 with that goal to unite the nation again and restore democracy and all lost rights.”