Bangladesh: Journalist Sarah Rahanuma, who reported on Hindu persecution, found dead in Hatirjheel Lake

The body was discovered around 12:30 am by a passerby, Mohammad Sagar, who was walking near the first bridge in Hatirjheel, a popular area in Dhaka known for its scenic lake. Sagar noticed a body floating in the water and immediately alerted others nearby. Together, they retrieved Rahanuma’s lifeless body and rushed her to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at approximately 2:00 am.

Inspector Bachchu Mia, who oversees the police outpost at DMCH, confirmed the death and stated that the incident has been officially reported to the Hatirjheel police station. “The investigation is ongoing, and we are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding her death,” Inspector Mia noted.

Rahanuma’s final hours, were marked by a series of unsettling Facebook posts. On the night of August 27, just hours before her body was discovered, Rahanuma made two significant posts that have since taken on a chilling significance.

At 10:24 pm, she posted a message in Bengali that translated to: “It is better to die than to live a life akin to death.” This post, which many now view as a possible cry for help, was followed a short time later by another post at 10:36 pm. This second message was addressed to a person named Fahim Faysal and read: “It was nice having a friend like you. God bless you always. Hope, you’ll fulfill all your dreams soon. I know we had lots of planning together. Sorry, can’t fulfill our plans. May god bless you in every aspect of your life.”

Accompanying the post were pictures of Sarah and Fahim, both wearing bandannas bearing the Bangladesh flag. The location tag on the post indicated Dhaka University, suggesting that she may have been there shortly before her death. Fahim responded to the post an hour later, pleading with her not to harm herself: “You’re the best friend I’ve ever met, don’t ruin this friendship! Don’t do any harm to yourself.”

Rahanuma’s husband, Sayed Shubhra, who revealed that their marriage had been under strain for some time. Shubhra disclosed that the couple had been married for seven years after a romantic relationship that they kept secret from their families. While they had no recent arguments, Rahanuma had expressed a desire to separate and move on with her life. The couple had planned to finalise their divorce, but the current turmoil in Bangladesh had delayed their visit to the registrar’s office.

Shubhra recounted the harrowing moment when he was informed of his wife’s death. At around 3 am on August 28, he received a call notifying him that Rahanuma had jumped into Hatirjheel Lake. “We were supposed to visit the Kazi office soon, but because of the situation in the country, we couldn’t,” Shubhra lamented, alluding to the political unrest that has gripped Bangladesh in recent months.

Sarah Rahanuma was not only a journalist but also the daughter of a prominent figure in Bangladeshi media. Her father, Bakhtiar Shikder, is the President of the Noakhali Press Club.

Rahanuma had built a respectable career at Gazi TV, where she had worked for three years as a newsroom editor. GTV is known for its secular stance and its fearless reporting on sensitive issues, including the persecution of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.

Further, Sajeeb Wazed, the US-based son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, publicly commented on the incident. Wazed described Rahanuma’s death as “another brutal attack on the freedom of expression in Bangladesh,” in a post on X.

Rahmuna Sara Gazi TV newsroom editor was found dead. Her body was recovered from Hatirjheel Lake in the Dhaka city. This is another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Gazi TV is a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi who was arrested a recently.

— Sajeeb Wazed (@sajeebwazed) August 28, 2024

He linked her death to the ongoing political tensions in the country, particularly highlighting the arrest of Golam Dastagir Gazi, the owner of Gazi TV, which has been known for its secular stance and its reporting on the atrocities against the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Rahanuma reportedly left her office in Segunbagicha at 9:00 pm on August 27, only to be found dead a few hours later. Her death has sparked widespread speculation, particularly given her last social media interactions and the personal turmoil she appeared to be facing. Rahanuma’s body remains at the DMCH morgue, where a post-mortem examination is expected to provide further clues.