Dhaka Post ex-editor had to leave country after reports on substandard textbook paper

Former Dhaka Post editor Mohiuddin Sarkar has claimed that threats, intimidation and pressure following reports on alleged irregularities in textbook printing and business dealings involving prominent figures forced him to leave Bangladesh with his family.

In a Facebook post marking World Press Freedom Day, the veteran journalist described what he called a series of disturbing experiences during the tenure of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Sarkar alleged that former Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam personally telephoned him and threatened his job over a news report.

Recalling the incident, he said Alam appeared angry during the call and warned that complaints would be made to the newspaper’s owners.

He further claimed that Dhaka Post faced restrictions in covering press conferences at the Chief Adviser’s Office, alleging that the outlet was denied accreditation and security clearance.

According to Sarkar, tensions escalated after Dhaka Post published a report concerning allegedly substandard paper used in National Curriculum and Textbook Board textbooks, as well as claims involving advisers Asif Nazrul and Mahfuz Alam and an NCP leader.

He said he and a senior reporter were later summoned to the Information Ministry over the report.

Sarkar alleged that he subsequently received death threats by phone, along with threats to abduct his children from school.

Fearing for his family’s safety, he stopped sending his children to school and later decided to leave the country.

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He said he departed for London with his family shortly after Eid-ul-Azha last year and later learned of additional cases filed against him at Badda Police Station.

In his post, Sarkar expressed concern over press freedom in Bangladesh and said he hoped the media would remain safe and independent under the next government.

Shafiqul Alam had previously stated on several occasions that the country’s media were enjoying “unprecedented freedom” during the Yunus administration.