Writer Selim Morshed Rejects Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024

Staff reporter

Writer Selim Morshed has rejected the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024, which was announced and later suspended by the academy. The suspension came after allegations surfaced regarding some individuals on the award list.

The Bangla Academy initially announced the awards on Thursday but suspended them on Saturday following complaints about certain recipients. The academy stated it would review the list and republish it within three working days. The decision was communicated through a press release by the academy’s public relations department, citing the need for reconsideration due to the “emerging socio-political situation and allegations against some awardees.”

This year’s awardees included Masud Khan for poetry, Selim Morshed for fiction, Shubhashis Sinha for drama, Salimullah Khan for essays, Faruk Nawaz for children’s literature, G.H. Habib for translation, Muhammad Shahjahan Mia for research, Rezaur Rahman for science, and Mohammad Hannan for contributions to the Liberation War.

The absence of female writers on the list drew criticism, with cultural advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi calling it “astonishing” in a Facebook post. He also demanded reforms in the nomination process. Following his post, the academy suspended the awards, leading to speculation about Farooqi’s influence on the decision.

On Sunday, two groups, “Bikranta Kabi-Lekhak Samaj” and “Jatiya Sangskritik Biplab,” staged a protest outside the Bangla Academy, demanding its overhaul and punishment for those involved in the award controversy.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Selim Morshed explained his decision to reject the award. He expressed surprise at being selected, stating that the academy had not contacted him beforehand. He criticized the allegations of lobbying and questioned the award’s credibility, citing his political stance against the government and in support of the July-August anti-government movement.

Morshed emphasized that his literary work stands on the love of his readers, not political endorsements. He rejected the award to avoid creating an uncomfortable situation for himself and others. He also reiterated his support for the July 2024 uprising, concluding his post with the slogan, “Long live the July 2024 mass uprising.”

Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam declined to comment on the matter, stating that the award process is still ongoing. The awards are scheduled to be presented formally on February 1 at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair inauguration by interim government chief advisor Muhammad Yunus.