The authorities of Amar Ekushey Granthamela shut down a book stall on charge of selling a book that reportedly hurt religious sentiments.
Ba-Dwip Prakashan (stall no 191) was shut down soon after the fair opened at 3:00pm, said Dr Jalal Ahmed, acting director (sales, marketing and reprinting) of Bangla Academy.
Wishing to be anonymous, an officer of the police control room on the fair premises said, the book, Islam Bitarka (debate on Islam) allegedly contained derogatory remarks on Islam and the Prophet.
Edited by Shamsuzzoha Manik, the book was first published in 2010 and brought in the Ekushey book fair in 2012.
Jalal Ahmed told that such a “controversial” book can hurt religious sentiments so they have decided to shut down the stall. Law enforcers were deployed at the closed book stall to prevent any untoward situation.
Meanwhile, a taskforce shut down two stalls, “Rongin Ful” and “Nil Pori” for selling pirated copies of books. A taskforce led by Joint Secretary Manzurur Rahman found the stalls were selling pirated copies of foreign books.
Yesterday, Anyaprokash launched a photo album titled “Humayun Ahmed Ananta Jibon Jodi” containing rare photographs of Humayun Ahmed through a publication ceremony organised at Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall of Bangla Academy.
Humayun, in a photo, is seen with his daughter Shila, while in another, he is giving autographs to some lucky fans at a book stall.
The wizard of words passed away in 2012, leaving so many memories, and some of those (from 2005-2012) are captured by photographer Nasir Ali Mamun. The book is priced Tk 800, contains over 100 photographs, and will be found at the Anyaprokash’s stall.
Mutual Trust Bank sponsored the Photo Album.
At the launching ceremony, professor emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman said it is very difficult to narrate the whole life of a person in a book. “Still, the attempt taken by the photographer is a huge endeavor; the dynamic lifestyle of Humayun has been portrayed through the photographs.”
Noted academician Muhammed Zafar Iqbal said Humayun was not given his due recognition. “But now he is,” he added.
Finance Minister AMA Muhit termed the album a magnificent work done by Nasir.
Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor said Humayun will live in the hearts of people through his words.
Director General of Bangla Academy Prof Shamsuzzaman Khan, Humayun’s wife Meher Afroz Shaon, CEO of Mutual Trust Bank Anis A Khan and CEO of Anyaprokash Mazharul Islam were present at the programme.
In another incident, Bangla Academy directed Bangla Prokash not to display or sell the book Humayun Ahmeder Sesh Din Gulo’ (The last days of Humayun Ahmed) written by Biswajit Saha.
Jalal said they served the notice as the High Court earlier issued injunction over the selling of the book following a litigation filed by Humayun’s wife Meher Afroz Shaon for publishing disputed contents.
