Adviser Mustafa Sarwar Farooqui and Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam at a press conference at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in the Secretariat on Sunday. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS) - Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam said names will be dropped from the award list if the listed nominees are found to be involved in mass killings or anti-people politics.

“The list of suspended nominees for the Bangla Academy Literary Award is under review. If anyone on the list is proven to have been directly involved in genocide or anti-people politics, their award will be cancelled”, he told a press briefing at the auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Ministry at the Secretariat today.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was also present at the press conference.

Mohammad Azam said, “The list was suspended yesterday following widespread criticism on social media about certain individuals. However, the list would be reviewed and a final decision would be made within three working days”. 

Bangla Academy made the statement one day after the suspension of the recipients’ list for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024. 

The government yesterday suspended the list of recipients for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024, which was announced two days ago to honour ten individuals for their contributions to Bangla literature. 

In response to a question, the DG admitted, “First, this was our mistake. Second, historically, there has been a rush in Bangla Academy’s award-giving process. This has been shaped by decades of practice. Based on these experiences, such outcomes occurred. A reform committee will soon be formed to address this issue”.