Bangla Academy alerts police on ‘religion sensitive’ books at Ekushey Book Fair

The Bangla Academy have sought help from the law enforcers to keep the books that might hurt religious sentiments or threaten the law and order situation in the country, out of the book fair.

After a meeting on Sunday with Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, Academy Secretary Md Anwar Hossain told journalists that any information on such ‘blasphemous’ books would be intimated to security agencies.

The meeting was held at the Academy with the annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair only days away from its start.

When contacted, Shahbagh OC Abu Bakr Siddique told bdnews24.com, "We are probing if anyone has published any book aimed at hurting religious sentiments or not."

"If information is received on any book trying to flare up religious fanaticism, it will be confiscated, and appropriate action shall be initiated against the publishers and sellers," he said.

Last year, police after receiving confirmation in this regard from the Bangla Academy had shut down the stall of the publishers of the book "Islam Bitorko" alleging that its contents were aimed at 'bruising religious sentiments.'

Ba-Dwip Prakashani owner Shamshuzzaman Manik which published the book, printer and seller of the book were also arrested.

The Academy had banned Robin Ahsan's Shrabon Prokashoni at this year's book fair.

Robin had been active demanding the release of Shamshuzzaman Manik.

However, having come under fire from several quarters, the Academy rolled back its ban.

The Sunday's meeting discussed the overall security arrangements at the book fair, officials said.

Bangla Academy Secretary Hossain said that the Sunday's meeting was a routine pre-fair meeting with security officials.

"Security agencies tell us what adequate security arrangements have been made," he said.

A well-placed official with the Ramna police confirmed to bdnews24.com that detailed security plan at the book fair was discussed during the meeting.

The CCTV camera arrangements were monitored at the venue on Sunday. About 200 such cameras will keep vigil on this year's book fair.

The fair starts on the first day of February every year.