Poet Mohon Raihan wants to receive Bangla Academy Award from PM

Poet Mohon Raihan has said he has decided to accept the Bangla Academy Literary Award considering the greater interest of the country’s independence and sovereignty. However, he wants to receive the award directly from the prime minister through a dignified process.

He made the remarks at a press conference held at the National Press Club at around 11:45am on Sunday. He said he decided to accept the award in respect of the decision of newly elected Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

Mohon Raihan said, “I know there will be controversy over this decision. Still, I believe choosing unity over division, wisdom over vengeance and dignity over humiliation is our duty.”

He said he will not personally accept the prize money and has called for it to be given for the welfare of any financially struggling poet, writer or cultural worker.

At the press conference, he said an undesirable and confusing situation had been created around the Bangla Academy Literary Award. He claimed he never expected the award nor lobbied for it; rather, Bangla Academy had nominated him on its own initiative.

However, after his name was announced in the award list, he alleged that an organised group began a smear campaign against him. According to him, false and baseless allegations were spread against him on social media. He also said a statement addressed to the prime minister was circulated in the names of 22 writers, poets and journalists, many of whom later personally told him they knew nothing about it.

Mohon Raihan said all formal preparations had been completed until the day before the award ceremony. But at the last moment, his award was suspended citing a poem he wrote 41 years ago. He said, “I was present there, yet although others were called, I was not called. This is not only a personal insult but also an affront to free thought.”

He said the matter later drew reactions at home and abroad after it surfaced on social media and was widely reported in various media outlets.

Later, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced in a notice that, with the prime minister’s consent, he would be given the award on March 2. In this situation, a meeting of the central committee of Jatiya Kobita Parishad was convened.

Mohon Raihan said the majority of the committee members supported accepting the award. Their argument was that surrendering to conspiracy would mean allowing ill forces to win. However, some members also favoured boycotting the award in protest of the humiliation.

He said, “I am not desperate for any medal or money. At the twilight of my life, a modest recognition and respect is what brought me there.”

At the press conference, he also said they held exchanges with various political parties in the context of state restructuring and had two rounds of discussions with current Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, where they raised the issue of freedom of the pen and expression.

Mohon Raihan added that he has demanded reforms to the award policy to avoid such controversies in future. According to him, if a transparent, non-partisan, expert-driven and widely acceptable process is introduced, such disputes will no longer arise.

Expressing his wish to receive the award from the prime minister, he said the date could be changed if necessary so that the process is completed with due dignity.