What was meant to be a moment of literary recognition turned into a shock for poet Mohon Raihan, who claims he learned upon arriving at the venue that his 2025 Bangla Academy Literary Award in poetry had been cancelled.
Raihan said he had no prior indication of any change. “I did not expect this award at all. I did not lobby anyone for it. The award committee selected me spontaneously,” he stated.
According to the poet, awardees were contacted by the Special Security Force (SSF) a day earlier and even attended a rehearsal for the ceremony.
However, when he arrived at the Bangla Academy premises on Thursday for the award ceremony, he was informed that his award had been withdrawn.
Raihan alleged that a group had approached Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and objected to his decades-old poem “Taherer Swapna”, written 41 years ago about Colonel Abu Taher. Following that, he claims, the decision was reversed.
The sudden development has sparked discussion in literary and cultural circles, raising questions about the autonomy of award committees and the space for historical and political themes in creative expression.
Later in the afternoon, Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam told BBC Bangla, “As some complaints have been raised regarding his writings and poems, the authorities have temporarily suspended the award to investigate the matter. A final decision will be announced after the review is completed.”
However, the Bangla Academy authorities did not specify the nature of the complaints made against Raihan’s writings and poems.