Heartbreaking news surfaced from Dhaka as the warm city lost one of the active residents with the demise of journalist, author and a progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. The gentleman ever ready with endless issues to talk to anyone, anywhere and anytime, passed away on 22 February 2026. He died undergoing cancer treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the age of 74. The smiley Dhakayan, full of life and energy, breathed his last at 11:30 am on Sunday. Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship (1990) for his work on environment and developmental activities, Samad used to contribute articles for TIME magazine, India Today, Outlook, Al Jazeera, International Affairs Review, News Times, Shuddhashar, Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka Tribune, Daily Star, Dhaka Courier, etc.
Born on 13 November 1952 in Dhaka, Samad completed his graduation from Jagannath College in 1976 and went to the USA for a master’s course in Colorado State University. He did journalism, precisely in print outlets, all along his life besides playing a visible role in training a large number of novice journalists from small towns and rural areas of Bangladesh. He also conducted a series of workshops on environment and development journalism for south Asian journalists in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. He was buried at the family graveyard in Mirpur locality in the presence of family members and a number of admirers.
Samad as a young reporter earned instant popularity with a media report on Shanti Bahini from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in south Bangladesh. As a journalist and media columnist, Samad continued his courageous endeavours pursuing investigative works and defending media rights. In 2002, Samad was arrested on charges of sedition as he freelanced for an international media outlet and put him in jail for nearly two months. He was subjected to physical torture during the interrogation in custody. Two years later, Samad was forced to leave Bangladesh in 2004. He returned to his home country from six-year exile in Canada.
A permanent member of Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity, Samad was also associated with a number of acclaimed global organizations namely USAID, UNICEF, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Academy for Educational Development, Forum of Environmental Journalists Bangladesh, Environment & Social Development Organisation, Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism & Communication, etc. Samad also served the Paris-based international media watchdog Reporters sans/without Borders (RSF) for more than 30 years. As an RSF correspondent in Bangladesh, Samad used to report despite threats, detention under sedition charges and even exile. Over his demise, the RSF issued a statement saying, Saleem Samad as an extraordinary defender of press freedom ‘whose work enabled the RSF to have a real impact in Bangladesh’. His commitment to justice, his bravery in the face of immense risks and his kind demeanour despite all he faced will be greatly missed, added the statement.
Saleem-bhai was not feeling well for some days. While responding to my telephone call just a few days ahead of the Bangladesh national election, his voice was heard a little frail, but he revealed nothing. I should admit, he anticipated months back that Tarique Rahman (then the working president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party) would come to power in Dhaka whenever the election took place. Contrary to the unfounded assertions that Professor Muhammad Yunus would linger as the interim government chief of Bangladesh for many more years, he asserted that the lone Bangladeshi Nobel laureate would take an appropriate decision on time.
During my first visit to Dhaka in 2001, I had the opportunity to meet a number of working journalists, including Samad, who remain friends forever. Some of the great souls including Mahbubul Alam, then editor of The Independent along with his business correspondent Mrinal Roy and staff cartoonist Syed Lutful Haque, environment journalist and FEJB chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury had already left this world. Lately Samad adds his name in the list of departees. Whenever I visit the crowded city next time, I will miss all of them.
In my recent visit to Bangladesh, I went to the apartment of Samad in the capital city. Jasmine Bhabi, while offering a hot cup of tea, commented- don’t be judgmental on tea, ignore the taste, as it’s difficult to satisfy a brother-in-law from the land of tea (Assam in far eastern India). However it was really tasty and I admired her preparation for the beverage (mixing tea bags with milk and sugar). May Almighty offer enough strength to her and other family members to bear the irreparable loss!
Good bye Saleem-bhai, for being an unconditional well-wisher, friend and approver beyond our national and religious affiliations!
*
Email *
Website
