Popular actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has been subjected to barbaric harassment and assault while representing Bangladesh at the International Film Festival in Venice, Italy. The actress, who gained international recognition through the film 'Rehana Maryam Noor', shared her horrific experience via a video message on her verified Facebook account on Monday (September 7) night, Bangladesh time. This unexpected incident has sparked deep concern and outrage within the country's cultural sphere and among her fans, raising serious questions about the safety of public figures abroad and the nature of political aggression.
According to Badhon's detailed account, the incident occurred when she was visiting a local park in Venice with her brother's family. There, a group of individuals suddenly attacked them. The actress alleged that the assailants threw coke and eggs at her, physically assaulting and mentally distressing her. More seriously, her mobile phone was snatched and thrown away, preventing her from recording the incident or immediately seeking help. This type of attack transformed a simple family outing into a terrifying experience.
The actress explicitly stated that there was a political motive behind the attack. Badhon claimed that the attackers labeled her a 'July Fighter', a term used to disparage specific political activists. The most alarming allegation is that the assailants forced her to chant 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' slogans and video-recorded the entire incident. This claim, along with the use of abusive language, clearly indicates that the attack was a premeditated, politically motivated assault, a direct infringement on an artist's personal freedom.
In the video message, Badhon appeared extremely distressed and emotional. She stated, "I was physically assaulted. My brother's wife was also pushed." Her appeal was not just for herself but a message to society at large to refrain from such irrational and violent behavior. She emphasized, "You should move away from such irrational behavior. You cannot redeem yourselves this way." In this difficult situation, she directly sought the intervention of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who was reportedly in Venice at the time. Badhon requested that her message be conveyed to Joy.
The incident quickly spread across social media. Various video clips show a group of individuals claiming to be Chhatra League activists, labeling Badhon a 'July Militant' and attempting to accost her. These videos corroborate Badhon's allegations and further highlight the severity of the incident. Since these videos went viral on social media, netizens have reacted strongly, with many condemning such political thuggery and demanding justice for the actress.
It is noteworthy that Azmeri Haque Badhon is currently representing Bangladesh at the Venice Film Festival. Her outstanding performance in the film 'Rehana Maryam Noor' has brought her widespread international recognition and acclaim. When an artist of such international repute is representing the country, an attack of this nature not only damages her personal honor but also tarnishes Bangladesh's image in the international community, especially when allegations of political affiliation are raised.
A thorough and impartial investigation into this highly disturbing incident is imperative. No individual should be subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, or forced to chant political slogans, regardless of political ideology or personal preference. The complexity and gravity of the matter are further heightened by the attackers' claim of being members of a major political student organization. It is expected that the relevant authorities in Bangladesh and Italy will take swift action to identify the culprits and bring them to accountability, ensuring the rule of law is upheld and the rights and dignity of citizens, especially those representing the country, are protected. The cultural community and civil society await a just resolution to this unfortunate incident.
