UPL calls ‘The Unfinished Memoirs’ important to Bangladesh’s history

The University Press Limited (UPL) has described Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s ‘The Unfinished Memoirs’ as an important book for Bangladesh and the country’s history, saying any decision to restrict its publication or sale must follow due legal process.

The statement came after UPL’s Banglabazar sales outlet was locked on Monday evening (September 28) following objections to the sale of the book.

According to UPL, several people arrived at the outlet around 5:30pm, claimed the book was banned and demanded that its sale be stopped. The outlet was subsequently shuttered, while two employees were allegedly taken away and detained at Faridabad police outpost before being released.

UPL said its representatives informed those present that the book had not been banned and that the publisher would comply if any lawful decision to ban it was taken by the government or a court.

The publisher said it was unaware of any such legal order concerning the book.

Calling the incident “extremely shameful and unfortunate,” UPL said publishers had faced pressure over books under successive governments. It alleged that governments, individuals and institutions had at various times sought to prevent the publication or sale of particular books.

The publisher said it has generally resisted such pressure despite suffering commercial losses, maintaining that every manuscript it publishes goes through independent review before a publication decision is made. It said it does not remove books from sale merely because of pressure.

UPL also cited its publication of books by former minister Moudud Ahmed and Professor Asif Nazrul, as well as a recent book by Barrister Abdur Razzaq on the history of Jamaat-e-Islami, as examples of publications it said were produced following its editorial and review process.

Regarding ‘The Unfinished Memoirs’, UPL said the book contains historical context related to the emergence of Bangladesh and the origins of the Liberation War. The publisher said any decision concerning its publication or sale should therefore be taken through an appropriate legal process.

UPL further warned that interference in the publication and distribution of books that do not incite criminal offences would be harmful to intellectual and cultural development.

It urged the government, authors, readers, teachers, journalists and others to protect freedom of thought and academic independence, while calling for unlawful pressure or threats against the publishing industry to be addressed through lawful measures.