Book café honouring slain publisher Dipan being forced to close down

Not too long ago, Dipanpur -- a book café launched in memory of Faisal Arefin Dipan, former publisher of Jagriti Prokashoni -- was a hub for literature aficionados. 

With a view to continuing Dipan's dream of enlightening people, his wife Dr Razia Rahman Jolly and some of their friends launched Dipanpur on the 45th birthday of Dipan, on July 12, 2017.

However, after around four years since its inception, Jolly and the partners have decided to quit this emotional space, as the rapid fall in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic has forced them to come to the decision. According to Jolly, Dipanpur had no income for the past three months, as people needed to maintain social distance by staying at home.

"Dipanpur used to be a place where many literary events would take place. People would come to read books, engage in chit-chats while sipping coffee. Children would come to learn painting and read books. But, during the past three months, we could not continue these activities," said Jolly.

"We had to bear the rent, utilities, salaries of the staffers -- it was a pretty big amount. The rent was being paid from the advanced amount. But this month, the landlord has given the notice to vacate the place immediately, with a grace period of the next 15 days," added Jolly. 

According to Jolly, although it is a place dear to everyone involved, it is now in a difficult situation that is full of uncertainty -- no one knows when everything will be alright, and this has forced them to take the decision of quitting. 

"Besides, last year, we spent a good amount to renovate the space to attract more people, but that didn't work out eventually," she added.

After posting a Facebook status about the closure of Dipanpur, bookworms and literature lovers have expressed their grief on social media. According to many literary critics, the shutdown of popular bookstores should serve as a wake-up call for other bookstore chains in Bangladesh to rethink their survival in this pandemic.

"I got many phone calls and text messages after posting the status. Many are trying to inspire us to continue with our dream and are trying to help. If I am able to get any support -- be it a regular order of my caterings or a bank loan -- Dipanpur might just survive," hoped Jolly.

Faisal Arefin Dipan was killed by members of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam, at his office in Dhaka's Shahbagh on October 31, 2015.

In October of 2019, a Dhaka court indicted eight members of the militant outfit -- six are in jail while two of the accused in a case filed over Dipan's killing are on the run.