The action by police in shutting down a stall at the Ekushey Boi Mela for selling a book that allegedly hurts religious sentiments raises some important questions.
Both the law and the book fair’s rules contain restrictions on books with objectionable content.
However, the police action appears arbitrary because no request or deadline was given to the publisher in advance as required by the book fair’s rules. Organisers confirm they too had not received any formal complaints when the stall was raided.
Moreover, the police also acted pre-emptively by shutting the stall down entirely, instead of simply removing the publications in question.
The raid occurred after police noted people on social media complaining about the contents of Islam Bitorko, a book of essays on discussions about Islam, compiled by Shamsuzzoha Manik, publisher of Badwip Publications. Other publications on religious topics were also seized on the grounds that they too allegedly breached the rules and their presence posed a threat to security at the fair.
It is concerning that the police did not follow the procedures clearly set out in the fair’s rules.
Had they done so, the contents of the books concerned might well be considered a matter for the courts.
Instead, by acting arbitrarily, the police have given the impression that publishers and writers can have their works seized and stalls closed down simply on the basis of negative comments in Facebook alone.
This undermines assurances made ahead of the fair to provide greater security for writers who have been threatened by religious extremists.
By acting peremptorily, the police have not only overstepped their authority, but have given comfort to groups and individuals who threaten writers and wish to deny freedom of speech for everyone.
The duty to ensure security must not be used as an excuse for arbitrary censorship.