A total of 243 distinguished citizens have demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic suicide of journalist Swarnamoyee Biswas, a graphic designer for the online news portal “Dhaka Stream.”
In a statement issued Tuesday, they called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Poet Nirmalendu Goon, Liberation war hero and lawyer ZI Khan Panna, Dhaka University Professor Dr Jobaida Nasreen, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Educationist and Economist Abdul Bayes, Dhaka University Professor Samina Lutfa, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua and Poet Gultekin Khan are among the 243 persons who express solidarity with the statement.
These citizens expressed their grief, sorrow, and anger over the untimely and tragic death of the young, promising media professional.
Reports from various media outlets indicate that Swarnamoyee Biswas, along with 26 other colleagues, filed a written complaint with the Human Resources department of Dhaka Stream against Altaf Shahnewaz, the Bengali content editor, accusing him of sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, and psychological abuse.
The complaints listed eight specific allegations against him, which the victims described as grossly inappropriate and deeply insulting to women. Among the complainants, nine female journalists reported having been victims of harassment due to his actions.
The statement mentioned that despite the written and evidence-backed complaints from the 26 media professional, Dhaka Stream’s Chief Editor and Publisher Golam Iftekhar Mahmud failed to take any disciplinary action against the accused.
Although it is customary for the accused to be suspended in such cases, the organisation did not follow this protocol and instead kept him in his position.
The citizens believe that the editor, publisher, and head of the human resources department cannot evade their moral and administrative responsibilities in this matter.
As per the directives of the apex court, each institution is mandated to form a sexual harassment prevention committee and follow a specified procedure for investigating such complaints.
This incident clearly violated those legal and human rights guidelines, leaving Swarnamoyi Biswas emotionally shattered due to the lack of justice, eventually plunging her into depression and despair, the statement added.
This tragedy is not limited to one organisation; it highlights the horrific reality of working conditions for women in Bangladesh’s workforce.
Sexual harassment and mental abuse continue to occur in workplaces, yet in many cases, proper justice is not served. Consequently, countless women silently suffer mental anguish, some leave their jobs, while others, unable to endure the humiliation and frustration, resort to suicide.
The citizens argue that the death of Swarnamoyee Biswas raises a critical question for the journalistic community, creative professionals, and the conscience of the nation.
They express deep concern and frustration, urging that her death should not be another fleeting ‘news’ story. They hope her death will mark the beginning of change and the awakening of justice.
The three key demands of the group are the immediate prosecution of the accused sexual harasser Altaf Shahnewaz and other involved individuals based on a thorough investigation, the investigation of Dhaka Stream’s role and negligence in this matter, and strict implementation of sexual harassment prevention policies in every institution to ensure the safety, respect, and fairness of women in the workplace.
The statement was issued by Dr Rezwana Karim Snigdha, associate professor, Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University and Girish Goirik, Poet and Journalist.
