Artists from different fields gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday to protest the mob attack and harassment of actress Azmeri Haque Badhan.
The human chain was organised by “Amra Shilpibrindo” in front of the National Press Club at around 11:30am.
Speakers strongly condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice quickly. They also called for greater security for artists and cultural workers across the country.
National Film Award-winning filmmaker Riazul Rizu said artists do not belong to any political party and took to the streets during the July 2024 movement out of love for the country.
He said artists had faced repeated attacks and restrictions over the past two years, including being prevented from opening showrooms and disruptions to concerts and boat races.
“Our cultural history goes back a thousand years. An attack on culture is an attack on the country and on our existence. Badhan has always protested against injustice, and so have we. We will always speak out against injustice,” he said.
Singer Muhin Khan welcomed the government and Foreign Ministry’s response to the incident.
He said immediate action had been ordered and stressed that artists would no longer accept mob violence in Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria or anywhere else in the country.
Actor Ivan Sair said artists had taken to the streets during the July 2024 movement against injustice and would continue to protest if the government took actions against the people.
Praising Badhan for continuing to speak out despite the circumstances, he said her courage had strengthened the morale of other artists.
He demanded the swift arrest of those involved and called for an environment where artists could continue making music, acting and pursuing other cultural activities freely.
Speakers at the human chain said attacks and mob violence against artists or cultural workers were unacceptable under any circumstances. They urged the government to ensure their safety, dignity and freedom to carry out cultural activities.
Badhan had attended the Venice International Film Festival this week with the team of Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride. The film was selected for the festival’s Orizzonti competition section and held its world premiere at Sala Darsena on 6 September.
After the premiere, Badhan went out with family members and said she was attacked and harassed.
According to her account, people threw water, soft drinks and eggs at her, physically assaulted her and knocked her mobile phone from her hand. Her brother’s wife and three-year-old child were also with her during the incident.
Badhan said she was targeted because of her active role in the July-August 2024 student-people’s movement.
She claimed that some of the attackers identified themselves as members of the Awami League, whose activities are banned, and the Bangladesh Chhatra League, which is also banned, as well as “soldiers of Bangabandhu”.
She also said the attackers forced her to say “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and attempted to record the incident before livestreaming and sharing the footage on social media.
