“Mohon Raihan Denied Bangla Academy Literary Award Despite Nomination”

Despite being nominated for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025, celebrated poet Mohon Raihan did not receive the award. He confirmed this development in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, describing his surprise and disappointment. Raihan emphasised that he had not lobbied for the award and that the selection committee had chosen him independently.

The decision to withhold the award is reportedly linked to certain allegations against him. Speaking to our representative, Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury stated, “There are several allegations concerning Mohon Raihan. These matters are under review, and the award announcement will be reconsidered accordingly. His nomination was made during the previous government’s tenure. We are carefully examining the situation before making any final decision.” When asked about the nature of the allegations, the minister declined to comment, citing the ongoing review process.

Similarly, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum told our representative, “Due to multiple allegations against Mohon Raihan, the award has not been conferred for the time being. We are verifying these claims, and a decision will be made after careful consideration. The public will need to wait a little longer.”

The Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 was officially announced last Monday, with Raihan listed as a nominee in the poetry category according to the Academy’s press release. Today, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the awards to the selected recipients in a formal ceremony held at the Academy.

In his Facebook post, Raihan elaborated on the events leading to the award’s cancellation: “Yesterday, the award recipients were called for a rehearsal for the SSF award ceremony. However, upon arriving today to receive the award, I learned that my prize had been revoked by an authority on behalf of the Prime Minister, citing my poem ‘Taher’s Dream,’ written 41 years ago about Colonel Taher.”

Currently, Raihan serves as the President of the National Poetry Council. When asked whether withholding an award after announcing it could be seen as disrespectful, State Minister Khaiyum said, “Nominations are made by the Bangla Academy, not us. We are merely reviewing the allegations. This is a temporary issue, and the award may be announced in the next few days.”

The Academy’s Director General, Mohammad Azam, also told Prothom Alo, “Certain allegations have arisen regarding Mohon Raihan’s poetry and literary work. We have temporarily suspended the award to examine these claims thoroughly. Once the investigation is complete, a decision will be communicated immediately.”

Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 Summary

The incident has prompted debate in literary circles, raising questions about transparency in the award process. The Bangla Academy has assured that once the allegations are fully reviewed, a final announcement will be made. This episode highlights the delicate balance between literary recognition and administrative oversight in Bangladesh.