NEW DELHI: A group of madrasa students attacked a stall at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka on Monday, protesting the display of books written by exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, according to police and eyewitness accounts. The incident occurred at the stall of Sabyasachi Publication, which publishes Nasreen's books. Eyewitnesses reported that a group of individuals approached the stall, questioning why Nasreen's books were being displayed. "A group of agitators came to Sabyasachi Prakashani and began shouting about the presence of Taslima Nasreen's books in the stall. Later, Publisher Shatabdi Bhava was attacked, and the books were thrown away," an eyewitness said. Police intervened, bringing the situation under control. "Additional police were deployed after receiving information about the disturbance. The panic was fueled by tensions between some students of the Qaumi Madrasa and the publisher," said police official Masud Alam. "We brought both parties to the police station and are investigating the cause of the tensions. The situation is now completely under control," he added. Videos purportedly showing the attack have gone viral on social media. Taslima Nasreen shared one such video on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the incident. "Today, jihadist religious extremists attacked the stall of publisher Sabyasachi at Bangladesh's book fair. Their 'crime' was publishing my book," she wrote. Nasreen further alleged that book fair authorities and local police ordered the removal of her book, yet the attackers still vandalized the stall. "The government is supporting these extremists, and jihadist activities are spreading across the country," she added. Taslima Nasreen is a Bangladeshi writer, physician, and secular activist currently living in exile in India. The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, organized annually in February by the Bangla Academy, commemorates the sacrifices made on February 21, 1952, when protesters in then-East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) laid down their lives to establish Bangla as the state language. Held at the Bangla Academy courtyard and the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, it is one of the largest book fairs in South Asia, featuring books across various genres and subjects. The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most."
