Hossain fears for her safety after intimidation from the group known for harassing journalists

Location: Bangladesh, Dhaka
Date: August 30, 2023

Journalist Fara Hossain faces threats and intimidation from a notorious religious extremist syndicate after reporting on their illegal activities. Other journalists investigating the group have experienced similar threats and legal harassment. Immediate action is needed to ensure Hossain’s safety. We urge the police to provide her with protection and hold those responsible for threatening her to account.

“The police spoke to me. But I'm still scared,” Fara Hossain tells CFWIJ. “They can do anything at any time. I and my family are moving with caution.”

On August 23 and 24, Hossain, a senior reporter for Nagorik TV, published a series of reports on the criminal activities of religious group the Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif.

Rajarbagh Pir — the controversial spiritual leader of the group — and his followers have been accused of extremism, inciting violence, and corruption.

“He came to my office before publication,” explains Hossain. “At that time, they tried to harass me in various ways so that I would not publish the report.”

The group's followers contacted Hossain on WhatsApp, urging her not to air her report. When Hossain and her team decided to publish despite the pressure, Hossain’s Facebook account was hacked.

This is not the first time Rajarbagh Pir and his followers have intimidated Hossain. In 2021, they targeted her after she reported on their illegal activities.

“They came to my office at night and pressured me to withdraw the report. My office removed the report for security reasons,” she recalls.

Hossain is not alone in facing such threats. Adhora Yeasmean, a journalist from RTV who also reported on the group's activities, is now being sued by one of their key figures. Yeasmean is charged under the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA). This law has been used to harass and imprison journalists. CFWIJ and 18 other press freedom organizations have written a letter urging the authorities in Bangladesh to drop the case against Yeasmean.

Due to the past behavior of Rajarbagh Pir and his followers, Hossain fears that a lawsuit similar to the one faced by Yeasmean might be filed against her. To protect herself, Hossain has requested police protection and filed a complaint (GD) with Hatirjheel police station on August 30, 2023. She hopes that by taking this step, she can safeguard herself in case they try to file a DSA complaint against her.

“This GD (complaint) is done so that the case against me is not like others,” explains Hossain.

Mursalin Nomani, President of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), expressed strong opposition to the pressure being exerted on journalists by Rajarbagh Pir and his followers. Nomani told CFWIJ that Hossain is a respected and experienced journalist who is a member of DRU and emphasized the importance of allowing journalists like Hossain to report freely.

He also calls on authorities to ensure her protection. 

On August 17, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced it is investigating allegations of illegal wealth accumulation by Rajarbagh Pir and his followers. The religious group has been accused of extortion, land grabbing, and harassment. One of its leaders, Shakerul Kabir, was charged with violence against women and has been arrested multiple times. The Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have also raised concerns about Rajarbagh Pir's activities. The spokesperson for Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif denies the allegations.

Despite the fear for her safety, Hossain remains defiant. She believes the only way to put an end to the group's aggressive acts is to continue reporting on their activities.

“Everyone needs to protest and publish more informative news about these hypocritical elders,” Hossain tells CFWIJ. ” Then their violence will decrease.”

The Coalition For Women In Journalism commends Fara Hossain for filing a police complaint against Rajarbagh Pir and his followers. Although she has faced repeated intimidation, Hossain refuses to back down and remains committed to exposing their wrongdoing and illicit activities. Her investigative work serves as a powerful example of journalism's role in strengthening society by holding those who cause harm and engage in illegality accountable.

However, given Rajarbagh Pir and his followers' history, we express deep concern for Hossain's safety and her family's safety. We call on the police to provide them with necessary protection, urge a thorough investigation, and appropriate charges against those responsible for threatening and intimidating her.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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