In Memory of Journalist and Columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar

The journalism, political analysis and editorial landscape of Bangladesh were profoundly influenced by the work of Bibhuranjan Sarkar. For more than four decades, he enriched the national media through his analytical writings, intellectual rigour and socio-political commentary. Operating as a journalist, editor, columnist and author, Sarkar remained a dedicated observer of the nation’s political and social realities until the end of his life.

Early Life, Education and Political Engagement

Bibhuranjan Sarkar was born on 6 June 1954 in Boda Upazila, located within the Panchagarh district. His entry into journalism occurred during the late 1960s whilst he was still a school student at Boda Pilot High School, working as a rural correspondent for the Dainik Azad. Alongside his early journalistic pursuits, Sarkar was actively involved in student politics. He subsequently served as the Vice-President of the Dinajpur District Committee and as the Assistant General Secretary of the Central Executive Council of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union.

After completing his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) at Dinajpur Government College, Sarkar gained admission to the Department of Bengali at the University of Dhaka in 1973. It was during his university years that he firmly chose journalism as his primary profession, a commitment that guided his subsequent career across numerous prominent news publications.

Career Milestones and Editorial Leadership

Throughout his professional life, Sarkar held significant editorial and investigative positions at several prominent weekly and daily publications. His career included contributions to the weekly Joydhoni, Ekota and Jaijaidin, as well as daily newspapers such as the Dainik Sangbad and Dainik Rupali.

As an editor, he successfully managed the weekly Cholotipotro, the Dainik Matrubhumi and the weekly Mridubhashon. During the mid-1980s, his political essays published under the pseudonym “Tarikh Ibrahim” in the weekly Jaijaidin achieved widespread readership. He became widely recognised for his sharp political observations, objective analysis and clear prose.

For over thirty years, Sarkar authored analytical columns addressing contemporary political and social developments. He contributed regularly to Bangladesh’s inaugural online news portal, bdnews24.com, as well as major national print dailies, including the Dainik Bangladesh Pratidin, Ittefaq, Jugantor, Sangbad and Bortoman.

Literary Contributions and Final Years

Beyond his journalism, Sarkar was an accomplished author with more than ten published volumes to his credit. During the 2023 Amar Ekashe Book Fair, the publishing house Agamee Prakashani released two of his notable historical and political texts: Bangabandhu: Itihaser Nirmata (Bangabandhu: The Maker of History) and Sheikh Hasina: Swapno Puroner Shofol Karigor (Sheikh Hasina: The Successful Architect of Fulfilling Dreams).

Sarkar’s life came to a tragic end in August 2025. On 21 August 2025, he left his residence in the Siddheswari area of Dhaka and failed to return. The following day, 22 August 2025, law enforcement authorities recovered his body from the Meghna River in the Gazaria Upazila of the Munshiganj district. His sudden death caused widespread mourning across the journalism and media sectors of Bangladesh.

Biographical Summary of Bibhuranjan Sarkar

The table below outlines the core biographical, educational and professional facts of Bibhuranjan Sarkar’s life:

On the anniversary of his birth, the media community remembers Bibhuranjan Sarkar for his intellectual clarity, professional integrity and long-standing contributions to the history of Bangladeshi journalism.