Saturday evening at Bangla Academy offered surprising elements.

First, journalist Tasnim Khalil, who has been in exile for 17 years, appeared on stage and the packed hall was filled with excitement. All the seats were full and there was standing room only. People lined the walls to join in the discussion.

This large crowd is unusual for events outside the Boi Mela season. And the book responsible for this is a bold critique of the Awami League government rule.

The book in question — Swadhinota Gonotontro Manobadhikar: Awami League’r Shasonamole Bangladesh 2009-2023 – pointed out a period when journalists frequently praised the government.

Almost every journalist-Prime Minister encounter was a performance in which journalists displayed their linguistic skills to deliver the crudest of statements. Some almost gave Hasina the Nobel Prize. Abu Sayeed Khan, Consultant Editor of Samakal, one of the panellists, said: “Some journalists have gone so far that they are now in exile. This should not be the situation for journalists.”

Those who dared to offer alternative views were either silenced or denied the privilege of normal working conditions. This journalist and author Ehsan Mahmud was among the few who dared to challenge this narrative and wrote the book at a time when this was an act of courage.

Adarsha Publications, the organizer of the event and publisher of the book, displayed several works of a similar nature just outside the gates of the Kabi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall at Dhaka’s Bangla Academy. This was certainly important for Adarsha, which faced the “iron hand” of the previous government and was expelled from the country’s largest book fair.

The room was full of intellectuals, journalists, academics and experts, as well as the minds who designed these books.

Book translated to Independence, Democracy and Human Rights: Bangladesh Under Awami League Rule (2009-2023)It offers an in-depth analysis of the socio-political and human rights environment of Bangladesh. Despite its title, the 135-page book is primarily a compilation of Ehsan’s writings in Samakal between 2022 and 2023.

Ehsan explained how dissidents and opposition parties were treated and suppressed during the Hasina regime.

Abu Sayeed Khan said, “It cannot be said that Ehsan wrote the book in favor of the BNP; rather their suppression as the main opposition party was noted, especially in writing it can be seen as an act of courage.” He also commented: “This book may even help researchers in the future. We always need journalists like Ehsan who can face storms.”

The panel, consisting of Bangladesh’s leading voices in the media and academia, included Samakal Deputy Editor Abu Sayeed Khan; Sohrab Hasan, Joint Editor of Prothom Alo; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Environmental Advisor to the Government of Bangladesh; Tasnim Khalil, Editor-in-Chief of Netra News; Dr. Geeti Ara Nasrin, Professor, Dhaka University; and writer and academic Parsa Sanzana Sajid.

Each of the panelists shared their own perspectives on Ehsan’s work, sparking a passionate discussion that captivated the audience.

Parsa Sanzana Sajid linked the content of the book to 1971 by referring to Laurence Leamer’s article titled Sabah Bangladesh in Harper’s Magazine. He took the audience back to the situation of Bangladesh after the Liberation War and noted how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman perceived the country and how Awami League members started acquiring the property of others.

Geeti Ara Nasrin appreciated his 1971 reference, saying: “’71 is very relevant.” He added that the latest uprising was a result of 15 years of authoritarian rule by the Awami League.

Consisting of 39 articles divided into four parts, first published in Samakal, the book reveals critical narratives of the Awami League’s rule.

Geeti Ara said, “Ehsan’s writings are like a journey that takes us back to the events.” he said. He added: “The articles show how people in power create a narrative and how the media helps them with this; only a handful of journalists are still working for the truth and writing an alternative narrative.”

Almost every journalist-Prime Minister encounter was a performance in which journalists displayed their linguistic skills to deliver the crudest of statements. Some almost gave Hasina the Nobel Prize. Abu Sayeed Khan, Consultant Editor of Samakal, one of the panellists, said: “Some journalists have gone so far that they are now in exile. This should not be the situation for journalists.”

Tasnim Khalil shared her experiences in other countries where, unlike Bangladesh, books on politics and political figures are abundant. “In that respect, this book is encouraging.” He also praised the author for going out into the field instead of writing desk columns. However, he criticized the book’s title, saying, “It is not exciting and does not represent the exciting articles within the book.”

Syeda Rizwana Hasan shared her thoughts via Zoom call. Photo: Miraz Hossain

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan shared her thoughts via Zoom call. Photo: Miraz Hossain