DHAKA, Feb 2, (V7N) – The Interim Government’s Cultural Adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, on Saturday reaffirmed the government's commitment to freedom of expression, dismissing concerns about book censorship ahead of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

Government’s Stance on Freedom of Expression

In a Facebook post, Farooki emphasized that the spirit of the July movement upholds freedom of speech and writing, stating:

 “There is no question of the police or anyone else reviewing any book before it goes for publishing.”

His statement came in response to controversy sparked by a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) press briefing on Friday, where a senior DMP official suggested that Bangla Academy should review new book manuscripts before publication to ensure social security and prevent anti-national content. The official also indicated that this system could be introduced for the 2026 Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

Public Backlash & Government Clarification

The DMP official’s remarks triggered widespread criticism on social media, prompting Farooki to address the issue again at the National Poetry Festival at Dhaka University on Saturday morning.

Farooki dismissed the suggestion as “unbelievable and ridiculous”, stressing that it does not reflect the government’s policy. He also mentioned that an explanation has been sought from the police officer responsible for the statement.

DMP’s Clarification

Following the backlash, the DMP issued a press release on Saturday, stating:

No official decision has been made regarding pre-vetting or censorship of books.

The statement at the press briefing was misinterpreted, and people should refrain from spreading misinformation.

The controversy comes as security measures are being reviewed ahead of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which was inaugurated on Saturday.

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