The Kolkata International Book Fair began on Tuesday, but the absence of the Bangladesh Pavilion has left a void. The fair, usually bustling with readers eager to buy Bangladeshi books, appears less crowded this year.
Last year, Bangladesh’s pavilion, decorated with a traditional rickshaw theme, attracted thousands. However, due to strained diplomatic ties following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 and visa complications, Bangladesh has been unofficially barred from participating this year.
Many readers, like historian Rubai Nisa from Murshidabad, expressed disappointment. “I used to rely on Bangladesh’s pavilion for rare history books. This year, I finished browsing the fair in just an hour,” she lamented.
Islamic book publishers, such as Lekha Prakashani and Mallick Brothers, have also suffered losses as Bangladeshi books were their top sellers. One publisher, speaking anonymously, revealed that the Publishers & Booksellers Guild informally instructed stalls not to sell Bangladeshi books, causing severe financial strain.
Authors and academics, including Professor Anshuman Kar of Burdwan University and poet Vinayak Bandyopadhyay, called the decision unfortunate. “The absence of Bangladesh is a collective loss for the literary community,” Kar remarked.
The fair’s organizers expressed regret, citing geopolitical tensions. “Bangladesh’s absence saddens us, but we received no formal participation request,” said Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay, president of the Guild.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports that despite this, some publishers, like Dey’s Publishing, assured readers that Bangladeshi books remain available in Kolkata’s College Street book market. However, the book fair without Bangladesh has undeniably lost some of its vibrancy.
LND/BAIZID
