On January 13, a significant protest erupted in the heart of the publishing industry at Banglabazar, where publishers from all walks of life gathered to voice their demands. The rally was sparked by a call for the cancellation of stalls and pavilions belonging to those deemed allies of the ex-government, Awamileague, which critics accuse of authoritarianism.
During the gathering, publishers condemned the connections between the ex-government and certain publishers accused of funding attacks on student movements. They demanded that these publishers be stripped of their stalls at the upcoming 2025 book fair. Additionally, there were calls to lower stall fees and bring those who exploit the publishing sector to justice.
The protestors also urged the book fair committee to stand firm against what they referred to as “collaborators” of the oppressive regime. They pledged to continue their struggle until the fair concludes smoothly and without the interference of these alleged cohorts.
Several prominent publishers addressed the assembly, including Iqbal Hossain Sanu, Mizanur Rahman Sardar, and Shariful Haque Shahji, who emphasized the need for unity among publishers against any leniency shown towards those aligned with the government.
The rally concluded with a call to action, urging all publishers to attend a program organized by “Publisher Bond” at the National Press Club the following morning at 11 AM. The message was clear: the fight for a fair and just publishing environment is far from over.
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