Maulana Bhashani Parishad General Secretary Harun Ur Rashid has said the Amar Ekushey Book Fair should be held in February to uphold tradition, and if necessary, the fair could be organised “spreading a mat” on the Central Shaheed Minar grounds.

Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he said: “Chittaranjan Saha had originally started the book fair ‘spreading a mat’ on the Bangla Academy premises.

“This time, it has been decided not to hold the fair in February. The book fair should take place in February, and if needed, we must have the resolve to hold it spreading a mat on the Shaheed Minar premises.”

The meeting was held at the Shilpakala Academy by Democratic Cultural Unity, demanding the Ekushey Book Fair be held in February “in continuation of tradition”.

Many publishers, writers, poets, literary figures, and cultural organisers spoke at the meeting.

Abu Bashar Firoz Sheikh, president of the book fair standing committee of the Bangladesh Publisher & Booksellers Association (BPBA), criticised the decision to postpone the February book fair, calling it illogical.

He said, “Political rallies and election-related events at Suhrawardy Udyan in December and January were cited as reasons for the delay. This is unacceptable.”

The national elections are scheduled for February, prompting Bangla Academy to initially plan the fair for December.

However, a Sept 28 notification announced the postponement following a proposal from the home ministry, with a new date to be set after consulting publishers, but no date has been confirmed yet.

In response, the Democratic Cultural Unity held a meeting on Saturday, demanding that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair be held in February.

The statement said that postponing the book fair could create an undesirable environment, giving defeated “fascist” forces a chance to regain influence and conveying to the public that space for free thought and creativity is being restricted.