According to sources, the centre was established at cost of Tk4 crore in the birth place of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, commonly known as Begum Rokeya, a Bengali writer, educationist, social activist, and advocate of women’s rights.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the centre in 1997. Afterward, it was closed when the BNP led government came in power in 2004.
In 2011, when Awami League government came in power, Prime Minister inaugurated the centre and order the authorities to reopen it for people.
As the centre has remained inoperative for long, a total of 12 staffs of it have not been given payment. As a result, they have to suffer a lot.
Abdullah Al Faruque, deputy director of the centre filed a writ petition with High Court to hand over the centre to Bangla Academy.
He also said the arrears of 12 staffs should be given as soon as possible.
After a long hearing, on May, 2015 the court ordered the authorities to hand over the institution to Bangla Academy after giving the due salaries of the staffs. But the authorities did not carry out the order of the High Court.
Later, the Cultural Ministry filed a petition with Supreme Court in this reagrd.
On June 4, 2016, a court led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha formed a four member probe committee. The committee also upheld the order of the High Court and ordered the ministry to take immediate steps. But steps have not been taken yet.
Rafiqul Islam Dulal, general secretary of the centre, alleged that due to negligence of the administration the centre was on the verge of extinction.
“We asked the administration to execute the order of the Prime Minister and the court immediately,” he also said.
Begum Rokeya Forum Vice-President MA Bashar alleged that they could not do research on Rokeya as the institution remained closed.
Faizar Rahman, chairman of Pairaband union council said they would go to wage a great movement if the order of the PM was not executed soon.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
