Shahadat Chowdhury (28 July 1943 – 29 November 2005) was a prominent Bangladeshi journalist, editor, and freedom fighter. He served as the editor of the influential literary and news weekly magazine “Bichitra” from 1972 until its closure in 1997. Afterward, he edited other publications such as “Weekly 2000” and “Anandhara.”
Chowdhury was deeply involved in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, where he participated in Sector Two and was part of the renowned guerrilla unit known as the Crack Platoon in Dhaka. He contributed significantly as a journalist by reporting on the Liberation War and was actively involved in social causes such as the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, which sought justice for war crimes.
A graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts with a background in painting, Shahadat Chowdhury began his journalism career by publishing news related to the Liberation Army. He was known for his intellectual contributions and cultural leadership, shaping Bangladesh’s literary and journalistic environment.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions to journalism, the Government of Bangladesh posthumously awarded him the Ekushey Padak in 2006, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
Chowdhury is remembered not only as a leading journalist and editor but also as a cultural icon and patriot who played multiple roles in shaping modern Bangladesh.