Prohibition on use of posters-banners in the Sylhet city

A circular issued by the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) 'to protect the sanctity of Ramadan' has been criticized. In the notification given by the tax branch of CSIC, it is requested not to use any image in the advertisement board, poster, banner, car body in the city during the month of Ramadan. The notification also states that legal action will be taken if this 'request' is not complied with.

March 13 (Monday) in some local newspapers of Sylhet, Chief Revenue Officer of the City Corporation. This circular signed by Matiur Rahman Khan was published. Since then, there has been a lot of discussion on social media.

Every year in the month of Ramadan, Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury wishes Eid with posters, billboards and arches in different places of the city. Mayor's photo is also attached to these posters, billboards, pylons. However, after the notification of the ban on the use of CCIC's photo, a question has arisen whether the mayor will send Eid greetings with the photo or not.

However, the Public Relations Office of SCC says that every year before the month of Ramadan such a notification is issued by SCC to protect the sanctity of Ramadan.

It is mentioned in the said notice - 'This is to inform all the concerned citizens and advertising agencies that in order to protect the sanctity and solemnity of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, any advertising campaign including various advertisement boards, posters, banners, car bodies inside the Sylhet City Corporation and any person's image and ugly Request not to advertise. If any person or organization is promoting such advertisement on advertisement board, poster, banner, or in any other way then it is requested to remove it immediately. Otherwise legal action will be taken.'

Chief revenue officer of SCC said about such notification. Matiur Rahman Khan said, "We have issued such a notification to control advertisements with obscene and ugly pictures in the month of Ramadan. Moreover, I have requested not to give banners, posters, billboards with pictures to protect the image of Ramadan. Such a notification is given by CCIC every year before Ramadan.

He said, according to the 'Writing on Walls and Placing Posters (Control) Act, 2012', hanging posters and banners in the city is already prohibited without permission. We regularly remove unauthorized banner-posters.

When asked whether there is any ban on publicity with pictures in this law, Matiur Rahman Khan said, 'The issue of not publicizing pictures is basically a request keeping in mind the sanctity of Ramadan. If no one accepts it, there is no opportunity to enforce the law.

Sylhet City Corporation election will be held this year. Already, the city is covered with banners, festoons and billboards with pictures of possible mayoral candidates. It is assumed that the rate of such promotion will increase before Eid. Apart from this, Sisik Mayor Ariful Haque also wishes Eid greetings with pictures through billboards every year before Eid.

When asked what action will be taken if the mayor wishes Eid greetings through torans, posters, billboards with pictures of the mayor, Matiur Rahman Khan said, "We are trying to control it." It cannot be said in advance how much will be possible. Moreover, everyone can campaign by taking our approval and paying the prescribed tax.

After this notification, we tried to contact Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury on his mobile phone to find out whether he would send Eid greetings with pictures, but he was not available.

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