The Passing of a Star, Leaving Unanswered Questions

Some people leave this world, but their voices never fall silent. Their writings, thoughts, questions and commitment to truth continue to return, crossing the barriers of time. Journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar was one such fearless campaigner with a pen—an individual whose life was defined by an unwavering dedication to journalism, a continuous endeavour to understand politics and society, and a lifelong pursuit of truth.

He was born on 6 June 1954 in Boda upazila of Panchagarh in northern Bangladesh. From childhood, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about society and the times in which he lived. While still a schoolboy in the late 1960s, he took his first steps into journalism as a local correspondent for the daily Azad. At that young age, he picked up his pen—and that pen would later become the most powerful instrument of his life.

During his student years, he became involved in student politics. He served as vice-president of the Dinajpur district committee of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union and as assistant general secretary of its central body. For him, politics was never merely a calculation of power; rather, it was an important school through which to understand society, the state, people and the passage of time.

After completing his schooling at Boda Pilot High School and passing higher secondary examinations from Dinajpur Government College, he enrolled in the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka in 1973. While at university, he chose journalism as his profession. He worked for a number of newspapers and periodicals, including the weekly Joydhwani, Ekota, Jaijaidin, the daily Sangbad and the daily Rupali. He also served as editor of the weekly Chaltipatra, the daily MatribhumI and the weekly Mridubhashan.

During his tenure at the daily MatribhumI, I had the opportunity to work for some time as the local correspondent for Raninagar upazila in Naogaon. That memory remains priceless to me. As an editor, I had the privilege of witnessing at close quarters his sharp editorial judgement, strong news sense and meticulous attention to writing. He did not view news merely as a collection of facts. He sought to understand the people, society and times concealed behind the news.

When the weekly Jaijaidin was launched in the mid-1980s, his political articles, published under the pseudonym ‘Tarikh Ibrahim’, attracted considerable attention among readers. His writing was distinguished by information, logic, analysis and an exceptional ability to grasp the deeper significance of political developments. He was a columnist who did not merely describe events; he sought to reveal the events within events and bring their deeper meanings before his readers.

For more than three decades, he wrote numerous analytical columns on the country’s political situation. His work appeared across daily and weekly newspapers as well as online news platforms. Until the final days of his life, he continued writing for the country’s first online daily, bdnews24.com. His articles also appeared in the daily Bangladesh Pratidin, the daily Ittefaq, the daily Jugantor, the daily Sangbad and the daily Bartaman.

He was also the author of more than ten books. At the 2023 Ekushey Book Fair, Agami Prokashani published two of his notable works, Bangabandhu: Architect of History and Sheikh Hasina: The Successful Craftsman of Fulfilling Dreams. The breadth of his literary and journalistic work demonstrated the depth of his engagement with history, politics and contemporary Bangladesh.

During the Liberation War of 1971, he also became part of history through his important work in gathering and reporting news. For a journalist, preserving the truth of an era is a profound responsibility. Bibhuranjan Sarkar carried that responsibility throughout his life, until his final day.

Yet the final chapter of his life remains shrouded in profound darkness.

At around 10am on 21 August, he left his home in Siddheswari, Dhaka, on his way to the office. He never returned. The following day, 22 August, police recovered his body from the Meghna River in Gazaria, Munshiganj, where it was found floating in the water.

The mysterious death of such an experienced journalist naturally raised numerous questions. What happened that day? Where and how did he die? Why did the final journey of his life end in the vast waters of the Meghna?

Time has passed. Memories have grown older. But the questions have not.

Instead, with the passing of time, those questions have become heavier—quieter, more sombre and more haunting.

Bibhuranjan Sarkar is no longer with us. But his writings remain. So do the marks left by his pen, the memories of his political analyses and the countless impressions he left in the hearts of his colleagues. A journalist’s greatest legacy is the truthful words left behind—and through that legacy, he will continue to live.

Some deaths bring a person’s life to an end, but they cannot silence the questions that person leaves behind.

The death of Bibhuranjan Sarkar is such a departure—
a mysterious ending,
a collection of unanswered questions,
and the enduring memory of a journalist who devoted his life to the pursuit of truth.

On the anniversary of his passing, we remember with profound respect that fearless warrior of the pen.

May his soul rest in peace.

Bibhuranjan Sarkar—you are no longer with us, but your writings remain.

In the letters traced by your pen, in the questions you raised, and as an undying light burning in the deepest darkness of our memories.

With humble and profound respect.