Chhatra Dal seizes Biswa Sahitya Kendra library for keeping books on Bangabandhu

A group of Chhatra Dal leaders and activists seized the mobile library vehicle of Biswa Sahitya Kendra in Rajshahi for having books on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the past governments.

The vehicle was taken to the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) around 11:30 am on Wednesday. After inspecting the mobile library, Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam ordered the library in-charge to remove the books.

Sources said that the mobile library vehicle was in the premises of Rajshahi College around 11:30 am on Wednesday. At that time, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists objected to the books in the vehicle. Later, Metropolitan Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Emdadul Haque (Limon) took the vehicle to the office of the Deputy Commissioner and showed the books to the DC. When journalists tried to speak to DC Kazi Shahidul Islam at that time, he did not response.

Jahangir Alam, in-charge of the Rajshahi unit of the World Literature Center's mobile library, has promised in writing to the District Commissioner that he will remove the books from the library within a day. He also expressed regret in the promise.

Jahangir Alam said, "Along with various books, some books of the previous Awami League government have been brought out here, which is really undesirable. I have given a promise that I will not carry these books or books praising the previous government in this vehicle again and will not take them to any spot. We will remove these books today."

Chhatra Dal leader Emdadul Haque Limon said, "As soon as we enter the mobile library, we see books written by Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the previous fascist government, and books written by Obaidul Quader. Here are books also by Sheikh Mujib. Even after the fall of fascism, these books were being desplayed." Asked whether these books were banned, he said, "The administration in Kurigram had given instructions to remove these books. But those in charge here did not do so. We demand exemplary punishment for those in charge."

Jahangir Alam further said, "The books were already in the mobile library. Our project was closed for a year. We took the books out after August 5. But we had no place to keep the books. So we kept them hidden in the car so that readers would not see them. Even then, some readers found them and kept them in a mess. The Chhatra Dal has pointed out our mistake."

This mobile library, run by the Public Library Directorate and the World Literature Center, is working nationwide to instill the habit of reading books at the marginalized level.