Poet Mohon Raihan. File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - The incumbent government has decided to confer the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2026 on Poet Mohon Raihan on March 2 (Monday).

A press release of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs confirmed it this afternoon.

The award will be formally conferred to him on Bangla Academy premises in the capital at 11:00 am on the day, it added.

The government has decided to confer the 2026 Bangla Academy Literary Award on poet Mohon Raihan after completing a review of the allegations raised against him.

After the award was announced, various criticisms surfaced in newspapers and on social media, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend the award decision and initiate an immediate review process.

An emergency meeting was held on February 27 in presence of the Minister, State Minister and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to examine the allegations in detail.

After thorough review of the complaints, the meeting decided -- with the consent of the Prime Minister -- to proceed with awarding Raihan the 2026 Bangla Academy Literary Award.

The award will be formally handed over to the poet on March 2, 2026 (Monday) at 11:00 am at the Bangla Academy here.