Book Shops To Be Closed on Feb 24 in Protest

Bangladesh Publisher and Booksellers Association today said that they all of their bookshops across the country will remain closed on February 24, protesting the government's initiative of stopping the publication and circulation of guide books.

The announcement was made at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU).

The Book-sellers Association also demanded separate definitions of "guide books" and "exercise books". 

Eleven other organisations expressed their solidarity with the demand.

"We stopped publishing guide and notebooks since the commencement of the creative system ('srijonshil poddhoti') at school level. We have only been publishing books which are used for the exercise of teachers and students," said Arif Hossain Choton, president of the association, while reading out the written statement.

The leader of the organization claimed that "notebooks" or "guide books" have only the answers of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB)'s questions, but "exercise books" have content with explanations, analysis, sample questions and answers, techniques of advanced writing and so on.

Choton said the bookstalls across the country will remain close on 24 February to press home their demand. He said they will also form a human chain in front of all press clubs of the country.

The leaders of Bangladesh Gyan o Srijonshil Prokashak Samiti, Bangladesh Mudron Shilpa Samity, Bangladesh Web Printers Association and Bangladesh Bookbinding Owners Association were also present at the press conference, among others.