Govt seeks Robi’s explanation over Kazi Nazrul’s photo fiasco
Robi, the second largest mobile network operator in Bangladesh, has been asked to explain within seven working days the use of Rabindranath Tagore's photo instead of Kazi Nazrul Islam's in a social media post paying tribute to Nazrul on his birth anniversary.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a letter in this regard today.
Kazi Nazrul Islam's family expressed their appreciation of the ministry's cooperation in this regard.
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"This shows that the respect which the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the national poet, is being upheld by our government," a family member of the poet said.
The 122nd birthday of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed in the country on 25 May.
On 27 May, Robi made a social media post paying tribute to the legendary poet. The telco giant, however, used a picture of another great Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore.
The post immediately received a lot of backlash.
The granddaughter of the poet, Khilkhil Kazi, in a Facebook post wrote that the family will take legal action against Robi.
She wrote, "Robi should leave Bangladesh. Those who do not know the National Poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam have no right to stay in this country.
Condemn Robi. Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Poet Rabindranath Tagore were both insulted. We are going to take legal action on behalf of the family."
Robi posted their apology three days after the incident. In the statement, it said, "We are extremely sorry. Our concerned agency posted a wrong picture with a post from Robi's page on 25 May for the birthday of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. We seek your forgiveness for this unintentional mistake. We removed the post as soon as we noticed it."
