The attempts at vandalism and assault witnessed at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela is yet another sad reminder of just how far we are when it comes to tolerance and, indeed, civility.
On February 10, a group of protesters targeted a specific stall for allegedly carrying a book written by exiled author Taslima Nasreen -- the group managed to infiltrate the fairgrounds and gathered around the stall of Sabyasachi Prokashoni but was unable to get to any individuals involved with the publisher due to the successful interference of the police. However, the stall was eventually forced to shutter in front of the agitated crowd.
While no injuries or actual instances of physical assault were reported, the protest itself was not unprecedented. According to various news reports, just a day prior to the incident, there were numerous posts made on social media which incited vandalism of the stall and any stall carrying books written by authors branded persona non grata. Surely this is enough of a reason for our law enforcement to begin mobilizing enhanced security measures at the fair?
Interim government officials have thankfully already stated that a zero tolerance approach towards those who threaten to incite such incidents is already in effect, but when it comes to matters of public safety, the government needs to be pro-active not reactive. The nation is already undergoing a severe void in law and order, and instances such as these only work to further instill a sense of fear and trepidation on the part of the public.
The administration needs to start being tougher on those whose only modus in life is to sow discontent and division. Nothing good comes from banning books or stifling individuals’ freedom of expression -- a truly reformed Bangladesh can only be built by a free marketplace of ideas.