Actress Zakia Bari Mamo has expressed deep concern following the alleged public assault and harassment of actress Azmeri Haque Badhan in Venice, Italy, as the incident continues to spark outrage across Bangladesh’s entertainment industry and social media.
Mamo shared a video of the alleged incident on Facebook on Tuesday morning and expressed her disgust over what happened to Badhan.
In a subsequent post, the actress voiced her broader concerns about the state of society in Bangladesh, listing a series of incidents and issues she believes reflect growing disorder and intolerance.
“Nothing is going right. None of these actions are good,” Mamo wrote.
She referred to sexual harassment in madrasas, violence against the poor, political blind loyalty, murder, terrorism, robbery, missing children, rape, educated unemployment and widespread disrespect towards women.
She also criticised attempts to suppress views that differ from one’s own, restrictions on cultural and artistic activities, the demolition of shrines, religious politics, the exploitation of ordinary people’s emotions for political gain, unusually high electricity bills and the lack of safety for citizens.
Mamo warned that the consequences of such disorder could be severe.
“There are so many other unwanted incidents, none of which are good for the country or for us. We, ordinary people, have been and continue to be deceived. If this situation continues, civil war is imminent,” she wrote.
The actress also clarified that she does not identify with any political party.
“I do not belong to any political party. My only party is Bangladesh. I simply want this country to remain healthy and peaceful,” she wrote.
Mamo’s comments came amid widespread condemnation of the alleged attack on Badhan in Venice. Badhan has said she was physically assaulted and that water, soft drinks and eggs were thrown at her during the incident. She also said her mobile phone was knocked from her hand, while her brother’s young child was present.
Badhan later filed a complaint with local police and said she would pursue legal action over the incident.
She was in Venice for the world premiere of Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride, which is competing in the Orizzonti section of the Venice International Film Festival.
