What will happen to books on Bangabandhu?

When we think of the two major events that embody the spirit and celebration of the Bengali people, one of them is the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which runs throughout the month of February at the Bangla Academy and adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan. The other is Pohela Boishakh.

While there may be political and social disagreements surrounding some aspects of Pohela Boishakh celebrations, there is no such division when it comes to the Book Fair. This event and celebration do not carry any religious or political bias. Even though occasionally political undertones may surface within the Book Fair, or there may be some influence from the ruling government, overall, the Book Fair is universally recognized as a celebration for all people, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or age. It could even be called Bangladesh's largest cultural festival, rooted in the spirit of Ekushey.

In fact, the entire publishing industry in the country is centered around this fair organized by the Bangla Academy. Outside of textbooks, creative and intellectual books don’t sell much throughout the year. Some books included in government purchase lists do get sold, but these sales are minimal compared to the overall sales. As a result, publishers eagerly wait for the month of February every year.

The Book Fair plays a significant role in creating readers, and it also contributes to the creation of writers. Altogether, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair forms a wonderful connection between writers, readers, and publishers, which, in turn, impacts the overall world of knowledge and creativity in the country. Every year, thousands of new books are published at the fair, and books worth millions of taka are sold. Therefore, the fair also has its own economy.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is the biggest celebration for Bengalis, irrespective of religion, political affiliation, or beliefs—where, throughout the month of February, there is a vibrant gathering of people. It provides an opportunity for people from various political ideologies, ideals, and paths to come together in one place, where knowledge, thought, philosophy, and entertainment coexist. It’s not just about buying books or the interaction between readers and authors, but also about spending quality time with friends and family, which is why it is called the fair of life.

Will there be party stalls?
During the tenure of a political party in power, various factions and allies of the ruling party, as well as organizations formed under their patronage, have stalls spread across a large area of the Bangla Academy premises. These stalls mainly feature books and materials reflecting the party’s ideology, with branding taking precedence over actual book sales. Since the current government is non-partisan, it is expected that there will be no political party stalls or pavilions this year. However, it wouldn’t be unusual for stalls from political parties or organizations close to the interim government to appear. If these stalls are absent or significantly fewer than before, it will leave more space in the Bangla Academy grounds, facilitating better movement for readers and visitors.

What about books on Bangabandhu?
In the past, publishing houses at the Book Fair have faced various embarrassing situations concerning books by different authors. There have been instances where specific books by certain authors were removed from stalls, books were banned from being sold, and publishers were put under various pressures, including threats and intimidation. Will this trend continue this year as well?

During the last 15 years of the Awami League's rule, a large number of books on Bangabandhu were published at the Book Fair. Will publishing houses be able to display these books at the fair this time, or will the fair authorities impose an unwritten ban on such books? Alternatively, will publishers impose self-censorship and refrain from displaying these books? Even if the cover of a book features an image of Bangabandhu and it holds academic or historical value, will publishers be able to display such books freely at this year’s fair?

The concern arises from a recent incident in which the head of a prominent publishing house in the country mentioned that his organization had organized a book exhibition. Since their focus is primarily on books related to Bangladesh’s history, heritage, and politics, some of their books featured an image of Bangabandhu on the cover. However, some students from a private university attended the exhibition and insisted that books with Bangabandhu’s image should not be displayed. Despite having a discussion with the students, the publisher ultimately had to remove the books. Therefore, it is difficult to say that such an incident will not happen at the Book Fair as well.

This issue was raised to Mohammad Azam, the Director General of Bangla Academy, who responded to journalists’ questions by stating, "The Bangla Academy will be cautious regarding books that go against the nation, history, and ethics. There is no directive stating that books about Bangabandhu cannot be displayed. However, if a publisher voluntarily refrains from displaying or selling books about Bangabandhu, the Academy will not interfere or obstruct them."

In response to a journalist's question about whether the Academy would provide security to any publisher who feels insecure while selling or displaying books related to Bangabandhu, the Director General stated, “The Academy is not an institution that provides security. However, the Academy will raise concerns with those responsible for providing security, as the Bangla Academy is not a policing institution.” He added that the Academy has had multiple meetings with law enforcement regarding the potential issues they anticipate. (Channel i, February 1, 2025)

The Director General’s statement carries several important implications. For example, he mentioned that if a publisher chooses not to display books on Bangabandhu, meaning if they impose a kind of self-censorship, the Academy will not intervene. His message is clear: the Academy will remain cautious regarding books related to the nation, history, and ethics. The question, however, remains: who will decide which books are against the nation, history, or ethics, and who will determine that or what will be the criteria for such a determination?

In recent years, the Amar Ekushe Book Fair has been a major platform for books on Bangabandhu, with a significant portion of the fair dedicated to such publications. However, with the political changes this year, there is growing concern that an unwritten ban will be imposed on books related to Bangabandhu. Publishers, fearing trouble, might refrain from showcasing these books at the fair. This concern is further amplified by recent developments, such as the issue with stall allocations. Some publishers claimed that certain publishing houses with close ties to the previous government were denied stalls or pavilions, and many were allocated smaller spaces than in previous years. There have even been reports of disputes between the publishers and the Bangla Academy over these matters.

The question arises: Why must a book publisher align with any political party? A publisher, as a creator of knowledge, plays a significant role in shaping a nation’s intellect and culture.

Shouldn't their identity as a publisher be enough?
The reality is that our society has become so politically polarized over the years that even a book publisher must now identify with a political party, such as the ruling party, to boost their sales. Conversely, some are now positioning themselves as 'anti-government' to gain extra privileges or state favor. This raises a serious question: over the years, as the Amar Ekushe Book Fair takes place annually in the vast spaces of the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, with thousands of books being published and millions of dollars spent, what kind of change has occurred in the nation’s intellect, thought, and consciousness as a result?