The Bangla Academy authorities yesterday lifted its ban on Srabon Prokashani on condition, clearing the way for the publisher to take part in the upcoming Ekushey book fair, reports UNB.
The Bangla Academy authorities took the decision at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, said academy director Jalal Ahmed.
Srabon Prokashani will be allowed to participate in the upcoming book fair if the publisher assures us not to publish any book that will hurt religious sentiments. They will have to give written statement in this regard,” Jalal, also the member secretary of the book fair committee, said.
However, Srabon Prokashani owner Robin Ahsan claimed that they had never publish any  book that hurt religious sentiments. “Bangla Academy blamed us for this in the wrong way. We neither publish book in favor of religion nor against religion,” Robin said while talking to UNB over phone.
Recently, Bangla Academy took punitive action against 20 publications, including Shrabon Prokashani, on various charges, including violation of code of conduct of Amar Ekushey Book fair, selling pirated books and selling the books those 'hurt religious sentiments'. The academy executive council decided not to allocate stalls to Srabon Prokashani in the book fair for the next 2 years while Ba-Dwip, Rongin Ful, Oikya and Nil Pori publications for five years.Srabon Prokashani was banned for protesting the action taken by Bangla Academy against Ba-Dwip publication for hurting religious sentiment.