Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria*

Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

The ever-smiling Dhakayan, full of life and energy, breathed his last at 11:30 am on Sunday. A recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship (1990) for his work on environment and development, Samad contributed articles to TIME magazine, India Today, Outlook, Al Jazeera, International Affairs Review, News Times, Shuddhashar, Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka Tribune, The Daily Star and Dhaka Courier, among others.

Born on 13 November 1952 in Dhaka, Samad graduated from Jagannath College in 1976 and later went to the United States to pursue a master’s course at Colorado State University. Journalism remained his lifelong vocation, alongside his visible role in training a large number of young journalists from small towns and rural areas of Bangladesh. He conducted a series of workshops on environment and development journalism for South Asian journalists in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. He was laid to rest at his family graveyard in the Mirpur locality in the presence of family members and admirers.

As a young reporter, Samad earned instant recognition with a report on the Shanti Bahini from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southern Bangladesh. As a journalist and media columnist, he continued his courageous pursuits, engaging in investigative work and defending media rights. In 2002, he was arrested on charges of sedition for freelancing for an international media outlet and was jailed for over 50 days. He was subjected to physical torture during his detention. Two years later, he was forced to leave Bangladesh and returned home in 2010 after six years of exile in Canada.

A permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity, Samad was also associated with several reputed global organisations, including USAID, UNICEF, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, the Academy for Educational Development, the Forum of Environmental Journalists Bangladesh, the Environment & Social Development Organisation, the Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, and the Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism & Communication.

During my first visit to Dhaka in 2001, I had the opportunity to meet a number of working journalists who remained friends forever. Some of those great souls, including Mahbubul Alam, then editor of The Independent, his colleagues Mrinal Roy (business correspondent) and Syed Lutful Haque (staff cartoonist), as well as FEJB president Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, have already left this world. Whenever I visit the crowded city again, I will miss them all.

Saleem-bhai had not been feeling well for some time. When he responded to my telephone call a few days ago, I sensed weakness in his voice, though he revealed nothing. Months earlier, he had anticipated that Tarique Rahman, still in exile as the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, would return to power whenever elections were held in Bangladesh. Contrary to unfounded assertions that Professor Muhammad Yunus would continue as head of a caretaker government for many years, he believed the lone Bangladeshi Nobel laureate would take an appropriate decision at the right time.

On my last visit to Bangladesh, I went to Samad’s apartment. Jasmine Bhabi, while offering a hot cup of tea, remarked, “Just have it and ignore the taste, as it’s difficult to satisfy a brother-in-law from the land of tea (Assam).” In truth, it was delightful, and I admired her preparation—mixing tea bags with milk and sugar.

Goodbye, Saleem-bhai, for being an unconditional well-wisher, friend and guide beyond our national and religious affiliations.

---

*Senior journalist based in Guwahati

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