After failure to get the allotment of a stall in the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2023, book publishing company Adarsha had filed a writ petition with the High Court recently.
The High Court bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir held a hearing on the writ petition on Tuesday.
Barrister Aneek R Haque appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the writ petitioner, while Assistant Attorney General Md Salim Azad represented the state.
During the hearing, Adarsha’s lawyer sought an order upon the authorities concerned to allot a stall to Adarsha Prokashoni in the ongoing book fair.
The lawyer said he pledged to the High Court that Adarsha will not bring the three books, objected by the Bangla Academy, to the book fair after getting an allotment of a stall.
Then, the High Court asked the publishing agency to submit an undertaking to the effect that it will not keep the three books by Wednesday.
The court also fixed the same day for passing an order on the issue.
The court has also asked the Adarsha Prokashoni authorities to submit a copy of the three books which are under objection of the Bangla Academy authorities.
The Bangla Academy blocked Adarsha’s allotment because of three books--- ‘Oprotirodhyo Unyaner Obhabonio Kothamala’ by Foyez Ahmed Toiyob, ‘Bangalir Mediocrityr Sondhane’ by Faham Abdus Salam, and ‘Unyan Bivrom’ by Zia Hasan. Faham is the son-in-law of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Challenging the decision Mahabub Rahman, the CEO of Adarsha, filed the writ petition on February 2 seeking HC directives upon the respondents to allot Adarsha a stall in the Ekushey Book Fair.
Adarsha CEO said in the petition, “The decision has no legality according to the Bangla Academy Act, 2013. This decision is contrary to the Constitution.”
