Govt to proceed with Bangla Academy award for Mohon Raihan after review

The government has decided to confer the 2026 Bangla Academy Literary Award on poet Mohon Raihan on March 2, after reviewing the allegations that had led to its suspension.

The award will be formally conferred to him at Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka on March 2 at 11:00am.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs today, the decision came after an emergency meeting at the ministry held yesterday.

The meeting was attended by the cultural affairs minister, state minister, and senior officials.

The ministry had earlier announced Mohon Raihan as a recipient of this year's Bangla Academy Literary Award. However, the award was temporarily put on hold amid widespread criticism in newspapers and on social media over allegations concerning the poet.

"Considering the complaints raised, the government decided to suspend the award and review the allegations," the press release said.

About the suspension, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam earlier told Prothom Alo, "There are numerous allegations against Mohon Raihan. Therefore, the award has been withheld for now.”

Following the review, the government, with the consent of the prime minister, decided to proceed with awarding Mohon Raihan the prestigious honour for 2026.

On February 26, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature.

The Bangla Academy Literary Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions for contributions to Bengali literature.