'Deyal' publication after correction, HC hopes

Says the novel by famed writer Humayun Ahmed does not portray the killing of Sheikh Russel properly Adds quotes

bdnews24.com
Published : 15 May 2012, 02:44 AM
Updated : 15 May 2012, 02:44 AM
Dhaka, May 15 (bdnews24.com)—The High Court on Tuesday expressed hope that Humayun Ahmed's upcoming novel 'Deyal', which deals with the assassination of the nation's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the post-75 developments, would be published with 'correction'.
The bench of justices A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Jahangir Hossain issued a suo moto rule asking the information, education and cultural affairs secretaries why the prominent writer should not be provided with the verdict of the Sheikh Mujib killing case and depositions of witnesses.
The secretaries have been asked to contact the writer over the matter and respond within 12 days.
The court issued the rule after Attorney General Mahbubey Alam brought to its attention the two sections of the novel published by a Bengali-language daily on May 11.
Earlier in the day, the Attorney General told reporters that the court on its own volition slapped an embargo on the publication of the book without correcting the portrayal.
Later, his deputy A B M Altaf Hossain told bdnews24.com: "The court expressed hope that information lapse in the book will be corrected."
He, however, added, "The court expressing hope equals an order."
Alam objected to the depiction of the killing of Bangabandhu's youngest son Sheikh Russel in the two chapters.
The scene did not properly depict the terribleness of the killing of Sheikh Russel, the Attorney General told bdnews24.com.
"Other than that, Khandker Moshtaque (Ahmed) was portrayed in such manner that he did not know of this killing beforehand. In reality he was involved in the conspiracy."
Even though Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was mentioned in the famed fiction writer's various writings, this is his first extensive foray into the assassination of the founding president and the post-75 events.
The Attorney General considered Humayun Ahmed writing this 'political novel' as a 'generous initiative'.
He pointed out that if there were errors with information, millions of youths will miss out on knowing about the true history.
'Deyal' is supposed to be published from the Anyaprakash Publications.
The publication house's chief Majharul Islam told bdnews24.com on Tuesday that they knew from Monday that the issue would be taken to the court. He said they were yet to receive any papers regarding the court order.
Humayun Ahmed, born in 1948, grabbed the critics' attentions when he started writing in his university life. Later, his writings helped him to become one of the most popular writers of Bangladesh.
The former teacher of the chemistry department of Dhaka University gave up teaching as to take to fulltime writing.
He also wrote and directed television plays and tried his hand in directing movies. His movie 'Aguner Parashmoni' won the National Film Award.
Humayun Ahmed returned to Bangladesh last Friday after undergoing treatment for colon cancer for around eight months in the US. He will leave for New York within several days for undergoing an operation.
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