DHAKA, Jan 31, 2023 (BSS) - Eighteen recipients of Bangla Academy Literary Award today strongly protested and condemned spreading misinformation about a book edited by folklore researcher Dr Tapan Bagchi.

In a joint statement, the fellows said two persons spread falsehood through a press conference and on social platforms. "Even, they also demanded cancellation of Bangla Academy Literary Award of Tapan Bagchi this year. We are astonished and shocked to see the news," they said.

They said there is no similarity between two edited copies of 'Matal Razzak Gitimala'. Even, the cover, introduction, contents and arrangement of songs and photographs are also different, they said.

Congratulating the Bangla Academy for awarding Tapan Bagchi on Folklore category, they said that Bagchi is one of the diligent and talented researchers.

The fellows who signed the statement are- science writer Tapan Chakrabarti, Kushtia Islamic University former Professor Dr Abul Ahsan Chowdhury, Ekushey Award winner Dr Harishankar Jaladas, poet Abid Anowar, Rabindra University former vice chancellor Dr Bishwajit Ghose, translator Professor Abdus Selim, poet Faruk Mahmud, poet Dr Bimal Guha, Rajshahi University former Professor Moloy Bhowmik, poet Jharna Rahman, dramatist Farid Ahmed Dulal, fiction writer Rafiqur Rashid, writer Dr Swarochis Sarker, children's book writer Rahim Shah, educationalist Dr Ratan Siddique, children's book writer Sujan Barua, poet Rashed Rouf and poet Dr Aminur Rahman Sultan.