Islamic Youth Movement vs. Amar Ekushey Book Fair: Suhrawardy Udyan, Whose Ground Is It?

While construction for the annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair is underway at Suhrawardy Udyan, leaders of the youth wing of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, known as Islami Jubo Andolon, have forcibly halted the workers and are determined to take over the venue. They demand the suspension of the fair’s preparation to use the grounds for their political assembly.

This conflict remains unresolved, casting uncertainty over the fair’s timely organization.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair management committee has unequivocally stated that holding any assembly at Suhrawardy Udyan before the fair would make it impossible to organize the event as scheduled.

Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy and President of the Fair Management Committee, has written to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, requesting special consideration of the issue.

Islami Jubo Andolon has announced a "Youth Convention" at the Engineers' Institute section of Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday, a gathering for which they have already circulated posters and promotional materials.

Preparations for the February book fair typically begin in January, involving extensive work. Despite this established routine, the organization’s attempt to interrupt the construction of stalls and infrastructure mid-way for their event is baffling to the fair organizers, though none have publicly commented.

News reports claim that Islami Jubo Andolon demanded control of the grounds for four days, halting construction. According to these reports, members of the movement arrived Monday evening at the section where workers were constructing fair facilities, ordering them to stop. The workers, wearing vests bearing the organization's logo, claimed they had secured approval to use the venue.

To avoid confrontation, the workers ceased their activities.

The fair management committee informed the Public Works Department, but as of Thursday, the issue remained unresolved, prompting Director General Mohammad Azam to write to the ministry.

In his letter, Azam stated, “Bangla Academy has received allocation of Suhrawardy Udyan from January 1 to March 3, 2025, for organizing the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025. Preparatory work, particularly the construction of stalls, is partially complete. However, it has come to our knowledge that the Public Works Department has also granted permission for other assemblies and activities at the venue during the same period. This jeopardizes the book fair. It will be impossible to hold the fair if other gatherings take place simultaneously.”

This year’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 is set to be inaugurated by Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus. The Director General urged the cancellation of any conflicting permissions for assemblies at the fair's designated grounds.

When asked whether the convention will proceed on Friday at Suhrawardy Udyan, Shahidul Islam Kabir, Central Joint Secretary for Propaganda and Dawah of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, responded, “We have been preparing for this convention for two months. We plan to begin after Friday prayers.”

A Public Works Department official mentioned discussions about relocating the convention and indicated that it might not be held at Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday. However, the official could not confirm any clear directives on the matter.