We are alarmed by the assault on a book stall at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela on Monday and its consequent shuttering by police to control the situation. Such an incident, at a book fair no less—which is supposed to celebrate freedom of thought and expression—is not only unfortunate but also disconcerting. It goes against the principles of tolerance and inclusivity, which are essential for the pluralistic society we hope to build following the July uprising.

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A show of force is not enough to curb crime and tensions

According to media reports, the incident occurred when a group of individuals demanded the removal of a book by Taslima Nasreen from the Sabyasachi stall, leading to an altercation when the latter refused to comply. Police, in their attempt to control the station, covered the stall with a tarpaulin. One person—reportedly the publisher—was also taken into custody. Meanwhile, Bangla Academy formed a seven-member committee to assess whether the stall should be reopened, with a report due within three working days. A Bangla Academy secretary stressed that the closure was a police decision, not the academy's.

The Sabyasachi stall had already been a target of online threats ahead of Monday's incident, with multiple social media posts calling for its demolition on the grounds that it was promoting atheism. Bdnews24.com quoted the publisher's wife who said that they had informed police about these threats, only to be advised to remove Taslima Nasreen's book instead of being offered protection.

While it is reassuring that the interim government has strongly condemned the incident, we hope the authorities will move beyond words and take concrete action. Time and again, we have seen this pattern where social media platforms are used to issue threats and incite violence, yet law enforcement remains mostly passive instead of taking preventive measures. One may ask: why was security at the book fair not strengthened even after the publisher's complaints? This is not the first time the fair has come under attack from groups opposed to free thought, and given this history, Bangla Academy should have ensured adequate security to create a safe space for book lovers and publishers.

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CA’s response should have come earlier

However, security measures must not come at the cost of freedom of expression. The right to publish diverse thoughts, beliefs, and opinions must be protected. In a truly democratic society, it is the readers—not the police or any special interest group—who should decide the fate of a publication. Finally, we urge the police to identify and take legal action against those responsible for Monday's incident.