HC order on Boi Mela stall for Adarsha Prokashoni stayed

Book lovers at the Ekushey book Fair.

Dhaka, Feb 15 — The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today stayed the High Court order that had asked the authorities concerned to give stall allotment to Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the month-long Ekushey Boi Mela on condition. 

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order after hearing a petition. 

With the latest order, Adarsha Prokashoni will not be allowed to participate in the book fair. 

Advocate Anik R Haque stood for Adarsha Prokashoni while Senior Advocate Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented Bangla Academy. 

On February 8, the HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed an order asking the authorities concerned to give stall allotment to Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the month-long Ekushey Book Fair on condition. 

Counsel Anik said the court asked the Bangla Academy to give the stall allotment on condition that it cannot keep three books —‘Bangalir Mediocrity’r Sandhane’ by Faham Abdus Salam, ‘Unnoyan Bibhram’ by Zia Hasan and ‘Oprotiroddho Unnoyane Obhaboniyo Kothamala’ by Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb. 

Later, Bangla Academy filed a petition challenging the HC order. 

On Monday (February 13), the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice M Enayetur Rahim set February 15 for hearing on the petition. 

Advocate Anik said that though the books were not blacklisted or banned, the participation of the publishing house was restricted involving the books. 

The writers of 600 books, which were published from the Adarsha Prokashoni, will be deprived of taking part in the month-long fair, he said. 

Owner Mahabubur Rahman filed a petition with the HC seeking intervention after authorities disclosed the names of the participating publishing houses except Adarsha Prokashoni on January 12. - UNB