A veteran journalist with over two decades of experience at one of Bangladesh’s most prominent English-language newspapers has been abruptly terminated following his reporting on the alleged abduction and death of a Hindu community leader—a development that has since triggered diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India.
Kongkon Karmaker, who had served as The Daily Star’s Dinajpur correspondent since 2006, was informed of his dismissal via email and WhatsApp on April 21.
The message, according to Karmaker, came without prior notice, explanation, or internal review.
The incident has raised serious concerns over press freedom, editorial accountability, and the precarious state of minority rights in Bangladesh.
On April 17, Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a 55-year-old local leader affiliated with the Puja Udjapan Parishad, was reportedly abducted from his home in Biral upazila.
He was later found dead.
Karmaker’s report on the case, published by The Daily Star on April 18, was soon cited by multiple Indian media outlets.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reacted sharply on April 19, calling Roy’s death “part of a troubling pattern of persecution” against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The diplomatic statement added fuel to a politically sensitive fire, prompting a quick denial from Dhaka.
On the same day, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam publicly rejected India’s statement.
A retraction of the original article from The Daily Star’s website on April 20 followed, expressing their regret over the publication.
Just one day later, Karmaker’s employment was terminated.
“I submitted the report through all formal channels—email, Liberty (the paper’s internal system), and even our Facebook group,” Karmaker told this reporter.
“I received no call for verification, no follow-up from the editorial desk.
Then, five days later, they started asking for details—after the backlash.”
After submission, Karmaker noted that he saw a message from Star Online In-Charge Rashidul Hassan tagging a sub-editor saying: “Need to handle with care, pls.” That note helped decide that the news would not go online without Karmaker’s consent.
“But I never got a single call that day,” he added.
“Publishing or dropping a story/news is not my decision; the office is responsible. Why am I being made the scapegoat?”
Karmaker says the decision to retract or publish a report is not the responsibility of a field correspondent.
“I followed protocol. The editorial team approved and published the story. Why was I singled out?”
The Daily Star has not publicly addressed the dismissal.
Karmaker, a lifelong resident of Dinajpur, has long been recognized for his courageous journalism under successive governments.
From covering attacks on religious minorities to documenting the struggles of marginalized communities, his reporting has often drawn the ire of political and extremist groups.
In September 2024, his widely read report on a protest victim of July-August movement forced to sell his newborn daughter for medical treatment made national headlines and placed pressure on local authorities.
Now, following his dismissal, Karmaker says he is facing threats from political actors, extremist groups, and affiliates of recent protest movements. “I fear for my life and the safety of my family,” he said.
“When contacted, Ziaul Haq Swapan, Executive Editor of The Daily Star, said, “I cannot provide any official statement regarding Kongkon’s termination.”
Press freedom groups and international human rights organizations have expressed alarm over the case, viewing it as emblematic of a broader deterioration in journalistic independence in Bangladesh.
“This is not just an employment matter—it’s a question of editorial integrity and institutional courage,” said one international media watchdog, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The Daily Star’s abrupt dismissal of Karmaker has drawn sharp criticism from fellow journalists and media organizations, who point to his decades of service and consistent record of credible, high-impact reporting.
Karmaker’s dismissal comes at a time when global attention is increasingly focused on press freedom in South Asia.
Karmaker’s forced termination reveals the precarious reality faced by journalists in high-risk environments, particularly those from minority backgrounds covering sensitive community issues.
