Writer and online activist Faham Abdus Salam has expressed strong anger over the alleged assault on actress Azmeri Haque Badhan in Italy, warning that any physical attack on her or other artists associated with his side would face a response.
Faham made the remarks in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, expressing solidarity with Badhan and condemning the alleged incident.
Addressing an alleged Awami League supporter, Faham questioned why a woman should be physically attacked despite political differences.
He described Badhan as a Bangladeshi actress and said there was no justification for physically assaulting her.
Expressing solidarity with Badhan, Faham referred to her as “one of ours” and warned that if anyone affiliated with the Awami League physically attacks someone from their side, there would be an “appropriate response”.
The comments came after Badhan alleged that she was assaulted and harassed by several Bangladeshi expatriates in Mestre, Italy.
In a Facebook Live late Monday night, Badhan said several people allegedly confronted her at a park while she was with her brother and his family.
According to the actress, the group threw water and Coke at her, soaking her clothes. She also alleged that her mobile phone was knocked away and that she was struck near her ear.
Badhan further alleged that the attackers questioned her participation in the July 2024 uprising and identified themselves as “soldiers of Bangabandhu”. She said they forced her to chant “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” while recording the incident.
She also claimed that footage of the incident was later livestreamed and circulated on social media.
Badhan said those involved should move away from such behaviour, adding that attacking others was not a way to rebuild their political position.
The actress is currently in Italy for Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride, which competed in the Orizzonti section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film had its world premiere at Sala Darsena on 6 September.
Badhan stars in the film alongside Zaineen Karim, Rikita Nondine Shimu and Sunerah Binte Kamal, who play four key female characters.
