Veteran journalist and columnist, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, in his final open letter, has sharply criticised the press wing of the interim government.
In the letter, he wrote, “The press division is far from transparent. Media executives live under constant fear, never knowing when a call will come to retract a story or article.”
On Thursday, Bibhuranjan went missing after leaving home. His body was recovered from the Meghna River on Friday afternoon. Prior to his disappearance, Bibhuranjan had sent his open letter via email to the news portal bdnews24, declaring it as “his final write-up.”
Years of depression
Rajib Noor, Assignment Editor at bdnews24, told Times of Bangladesh that the letter was received at 9:15am on Thursday. Initially, they had hoped for Bibhuranjan’s return, and thus delayed its publication. The letter was published at 5:23pm on Friday, after his body was found.
Rajib Noor added that after reading the last line of the letter, “You may print this as my final write-up” he called Bibhuranjan’s younger brother, Chiranjan Sarkar, to express his concerns about the tone of the letter.
Chiranjan confirmed that Bibhuranjan had left home in the morning, had not gone to the office, and had left his mobile phone behind. He also mentioned that his brother had been struggling with depression for several years.
Critique of interim government
In his open letter, Bibhuranjan reflected on his career and the political landscape, particularly the state of media freedom during the regimes of HM Ershad, Khaleda Zia, and Sheikh Hasina. He was especially critical of the current interim government’s actions.
He wrote, “Since the change of government last year, the media’s condition has worsened. The chief adviser has stated that we should be able to speak freely, but the press division is not transparent.
“Executives in the media live constantly in fear, never knowing when a call might come to retract an article.”
He further elaborated, “For one of my articles, the online division of Ajker Patrika was threatened. Why? Because Mazharul Islam Babla wrote that the army sent Sheikh Hasina to Delhi in a military helicopter.
“He also claimed that terrorists, through meticulous designs, killed people – not just the police. Where is the false information? Did Sheikh Hasina secretly flee in a helicopter? Even if police killed people, who killed the police?”
A life full of struggles
Bibhuranjan, who had long been associated with the pro-liberation and secular causes, wrote about being labeled an “Awami” in the political context, but not receiving any material rewards from the then Awami government.
“I did not get a plot of land, nor a good job. Instead, years of unemployment increased my debt,” he lamented.
He reflected on his time working with various prominent newspapers and magazines, such as Dainik Sangbad, Saptahik Ekata, and Dainik Rupali, as well as his editorial roles at Saptahik Cholti Patra and Matribhumi Daily.
His works were regularly published in most of the country’s daily newspapers, and his opinions were once a fixture on the front page of Dainik Janakantha during its peak.
Yet, he mentions, “Now, some newspapers refuse to publish my articles, even when I send them for review. My writing no longer engages readers.”
‘Yunus called me twice’
Bibhuranjan shared how famous figures, including educationist Dewan Mohammad Azraf, political figures like Oli Ahmed and Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, and authors such as Professor Shaukat Osman, had once called him to praise his work.
He even mentioned how former BNP Secretary-General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan had once cherished his writings.
Bibhuranjan also noted how, on two separate occasions, Dr Muhammad Yunus personally called him to discuss his writings. “However, now, my articles do not seem to attract the attention they once did,” he said.
He also wrote about the meager honorarium he received for his writings, despite having written thousands of articles. “I have written under various names, but the payment has been minimal. Some publications did not pay me even after years of writing.”
Bibhuranjan concluded his letter by stating, “Today, my daily life begins with taking medicine, undergoing health tests, and worrying about the money to buy the necessary medication.”