[CRK]
Former Bangladesh national team captain Jahanara Alam, a revered figure in women’s cricket, has bravely reopened a deeply painful chapter, making an impassioned public plea for comprehensive justice regarding the sexual harassment she faced during her tenure with the national team. In a recent, emotionally charged video on her Facebook page, Alam specifically named former women’s team selector and manager Manjurul Islam Manju, reiterating serious allegations that she believes have yet to receive adequate redress.
The harrowing claims made by Jahanara Alam did not go unheard initially. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) acknowledged the gravity of the situation, initiating an independent inquiry committee in 2025. This esteemed committee, comprising legal experts, dedicated women’s rights activists, and then BCB director and head of the women’s wing, Rubaba Dowla, meticulously investigated the allegations. Its findings, submitted in 2026, confirmed that primary evidence supported two out of the four complaints brought forward by Alam, substantiating the claims of harassment.
Following the committee’s report, Manjurul Islam Manju was handed a lifetime ban from any involvement in BCB activities. While this was a significant step, many, including Jahanara herself, felt the punishment fell far short of true justice. The calls for legal action against Manju were loud and clear, yet the BCB, at the time, opted against pursuing such a course. The landscape of the board has since shifted, with a new ad-hoc committee now led by cricket icon Tamim Iqbal, and Aminul Haque serving as the State Minister for Youth and Sports, presenting a renewed opportunity for a re-evaluation of past decisions.
It is against this backdrop of lingering injustice and evolving leadership that Jahanara Alam chose to voice her profound frustration. Her recent Facebook video was not merely a recounting of past trauma but a direct, heartfelt appeal to the highest authorities. Addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Minister Aminul Haque, she articulated three critical requests, hoping to prompt a stronger, more decisive response. Her words resonated with sincerity and pain, beginning with a respectful greeting: “Assalamu Alaikum, I am cricketer Jahanara Alam. I want to draw the attention of the honorable State Minister for Sports. I have three requests. I hope you will consider them seriously.”
Alam expressed her gratitude to the World Cricketers’ Association for their full support and acknowledged the BCB for their initial action. However, she did not shy away from her true feelings. “But honestly, I am not satisfied. Considering what I went through, this punishment feels very small. I expected something stronger.” Her plea extended beyond her personal ordeal, encompassing a broader concern for countless others. “If we think beyond cricket, there are many ‘Jahanaras’ out there in different teams around the world. I couldn’t escape from Manju, and I fear others may face the same.”
She detailed a horrifying period from 2020 to 2024, during which she was subjected to relentless mental torture. This ordeal, she revealed, stemmed directly from her refusal of “inappropriate proposals” from Manju and another individual named Towhid Mahmud. The psychological toll was immense, leading to denied opportunities and significant financial suffering. While Towhid Mahmud has since passed away, and Manju received a ‘light punishment’ as Jahanara describes it, she passionately highlighted that a wider
