Actress Badhan alleges harassment, attack by Awami League supporters in Italy

Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhan has alleged that she and her family were attacked and harassed by expatriate Bangladeshis she identified as Awami League supporters in Mestre, Italy.

During a livestream on her verified Facebook page early today (8 September), the actress said she had gone to a park with her brother and his family when a group of Bengali expatriates approached them and attacked her.

"I went to the park here with my brother's family. Many of our Bengali brothers came and physically harassed me. They threw water and Coke on me. I became completely wet," she added.

"They raised their hands on my body, threw my phone and hit me near my ear," Badhan alleged, adding that the group repeatedly referred to her participation in the July Uprising.

"I am a July fighter. Yes, I am. I definitely participated in the July Uprising," she quoted herself as saying during the confrontation.

The actress further alleged that the attackers identified themselves as supporters or "soldiers of Bangabandhu" and forced her to chant, "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu."

She claimed that those involved were also recording and livestreaming the incident.

"They could have killed me," Badhan said while describing the incident.

Badhan is in Italy to attend the Venice International Film Festival. She travelled there in connection with the film "The Difficult Bride," directed by Rubaiyat Hossain.

Mahfuj Alam, former adviser in the interim government formed after the uprising, was among those who quickly condemned the incident.

In a statement, he said the incident was a reminder that the Awami League was a "terrorist and fascist organisation."

Mahfuj alleged that the party was responsible for disappearances, killings, political persecution and large-scale embezzlement, saying its "bloodlust" continues after the July Uprising.

In a video clip, several individuals can be seen approaching Badhan, engaging in a scuffle with her and speaking in an agitated manner.

Some of them can be heard calling Badhan a "July militant" during the confrontation.

Badhan's brother's young child was also present during the incident. In the video circulated online, Badhan is heard urging the attackers to stop, referring to the child's presence.

In response, one of the individuals can be heard saying, "What child? He has to say Joy Bangla."

Badhan's sister-in-law was also pushed during the incident. The actress said, "I was physically assaulted. My brother's wife was also pushed."

Speaking out against the incident, Badhan said, "It will not be so easy to silence Azmeri Haque Badhan. Today, you showed people around the world that an actress representing Bangladesh was subjected to harassment."

NCP leaders condemn attack on Badhan, express solidarity

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and NCP Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam have condemned and protested the attack on Badhan, expressing full solidarity with her.

Both NCP leaders shared their views on the matter through separate posts on their respective verified Facebook pages.

In his post, Asif said, "I strongly condemn and protest the attack and physical assault on actress Azmeri Haque Badhan, one of the comrades of the July Mass Uprising, by terrorists affiliated with the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League at a park in Venice, Italy."

Asif continued, "Through a mass uprising, the people rejected the fascist political system. Yet the fugitive leaders and activists of those banned and terrorist organisations continue to carry out attacks and violence. This incident is a manifestation of the defeated and banned political forces' old pattern of terrorism.

"Azmeri Haque Badhan stood courageously on the streets during the July mass movement. She made her position clear in support of the rights of the people and the demand for a Bangladesh free from authoritarian rule. The attack on her demonstrates that the defeated terrorist forces have yet to move away from the politics of revenge and intimidation."

He added, "The aspirations of July cannot be suppressed through attacks, intimidation, violence or the creation of anarchy. Those involved in the attack on a Bangladeshi citizen on Italian soil must be brought to justice under the prevailing laws of Italy. At the same time, the Bangladesh Embassy must undertake the necessary diplomatic initiatives."

"We express our full solidarity with Azmeri Haque Badhan. Our position is clear against any attack on the comrades of the July Mass Uprising," he wrote.

Expressing full solidarity with Badhan, Sarjis wrote in his post that their position was clear against any attack on those who participated in the July uprising.

He said, "I am proud of you, Badhan. You fought for this country; you fought to free the people of this country from authoritarian rule."

"Those who attacked you are henchmen of the killers, inhuman beings who have sold their conscience. You should not expect anything more from them. We are all with you. The whole of Bangladesh is with you," Sarjis said.