The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has cancelled the contractual appointment of Afsana Begum as director of the National Book Centre, citing irregularities and actions allegedly opposing the principles of the July uprising. The decision was followed by the appointment of writer and poet Sakhawat Tipu to the same post. Ministry officials claimed that Afsana Begum’s tenure was marked by favoritism in book selection and the promotion of narratives aligned with the previous Awami regime.

Officials alleged that the 2024–25 book selection list included multiple works by authors linked to the former government while excluding books supportive of the July uprising. They also accused Afsana Begum of forming a syndicate that gave undue advantage to preferred publishers and of attempting to challenge the ministry’s oversight authority. The ministry’s secretary stated that the cancellation was a routine administrative action consistent with government policy.

Afsana Begum denied all allegations, asserting that the selection process followed official guidelines and that final approval of book lists rested with the ministry. She argued that any controversy over the selected titles should be directed at the approving authorities rather than the committee.