Ami widespread discussion, the Bangla Academy has clarified that despite some issues, free distribution of sanitary napkins and other essential items will continue at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.
In a press release dated Sunday, Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam said: ''An issue regarding the sale of sanitary napkins and diapers at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, organized by the Bangla Academy, has attracted widespread attention. Many people have expressed their angry reactions to us via social media and phone calls. In light of this, it has become essential to provide detailed information about the matter.
"Although the Bangla Academy organizes the event, the necessary tasks for the Boi Mela are managed by an event management company. This year, Dreamer Donkey was assigned this responsibility. The event management company works with the support of sponsors, but they must operate according to the fair's rules. However, during the selection of sponsors, the event management company violated several rules, including arranging the sale of products without permission at various locations in the fair. We have consistently opposed this, but they have ignored our objections with various excuses.
"Regarding the sanitary napkins and diapers, they informed us that these items would be provided free of charge near the washrooms for women and children as needed. However, the fair authorities found that they were selling these two products along with others, so they were instructed to close the stalls. This decision was not only about sanitary napkins but also included diapers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other products."
Azam added that despite repeated assurances from the event management company, they failed to keep their promises. "We had temporarily closed the stalls for three days on our initiative. At their request, only children's items like paper, pencils, and pens were allowed to be sold at the Boi Mela's children's corner."
He continued: "In this situation, the event company informed us that they had entered into a contract with the sponsor company, and they were now in a difficult position. It should be noted that the Bangla Academy has no involvement in these contracts. They mentioned that they would send a letter to the sponsor company saying there would be issues if sanitary napkins were sold.
"To facilitate their task, the director general of the Bangla Academy signed a letter. This letter was not issued by the Bangla Academy, and no one had informed us about the suspension of sanitary napkins. While we discussed several products, various parties, including the event management and sponsors, have focused primarily on the sanitary napkin issue."
He said the academy wants to clarify that it has no reluctance regarding the distribution and use of sanitary napkins.
"The issue of commercialization at the Boi Mela has been presented in a sensitive and misleading way. As evidence, we have adopted the same policy for other products. On the other hand, we have advised the event company to distribute sanitary napkins as a courtesy, as needed. It should be noted that similar essential items have been distributed as a courtesy at the Boi Mela in previous years.
"We apologize for the situation that has arisen. We assure you that the event management company will provide free sanitary napkins near the washrooms at the Boi Mela.''
When contacted, Azam told Dhaka Tribune: “The letter which is being circulated on Facebook is not from us, but the event management agency.”
“Many stalls were selling toothbrushes, toothpaste and other items without permission… the Bangla Academy has been facing the problem of stalls selling items other than books for the last eight to 10 days. Previously, we did not see these types of stalls.”
When asked about the current situation at the Boi Mela, Azam replied: “Obviously, it is going fine. But there were some unwanted incidents which are not related to us.”
Azam continued: “Public participation in the Boi Mela is satisfactory, and according to news reports, sales picked up last weekend.”
