Actress Pori Moni has spoken out against what she describes as an organised campaign of harassment, intimidation and attempts to disrupt her professional life, following days of controversy on social media.
The actress has alleged that she has faced calls for a boycott, personal insults and threats directed at brand owners associated with her work.
She also claimed that an event at Gulshan Shooting Club turned unpleasant and that her car was attacked and vandalised after the programme.
Amid the growing controversy, Pori Mon has released a lengthy video statement addressing the incidents.
She expressed anger over the campaign against her, the use of personal attacks and what she described as the misuse of journalistic identity to humiliate her. She also questioned whether anyone could be forced to apologise through threats or intimidation.
In the video, she challenged those demanding an apology to explain how they expected to obtain one by threatening someone’s life or using physical force.
“Can you make someone say sorry by grabbing them by the throat and threatening to kill them? Is that even possible?” she said.
Referring to an abusive term she had used during the dispute, the actress sarcastically questioned whether she was expected to apologise for calling someone an insulting name.
She argued that women should not be expected to remain silent when they face unwanted physical contact or mistreatment.
Pori Moni also accused some of her critics of taking their personal grievances to the streets and making degrading remarks about her. She said their actions appeared aimed at damaging her reputation and humiliating her publicly.
According to the actress, the campaign initially focused on boycotting her, but has since shifted towards obstructing her professional opportunities.
She alleged that some people had contacted brand owners and threatened them against hiring her.
“They started with calls for a boycott. When they saw that nothing was happening within 24, 48 or 72 hours, because people were not paying attention to their boycott, what did they do next? They went there in person and started vandalising things. Is their plan to create chaos wherever Pori Moni goes?” she said.
She also questioned the conduct of people who, she alleged, were using their identity as journalists to target her.
Pori Moni said having a mobile phone, a social media page and registration did not automatically make someone a journalist, adding that such behaviour could not be justified in the name of journalism.
Towards the end of the video, the actress reiterated that she would not accept attempts to force an apology through intimidation. Expressing her frustration, she ended with a sharp remark: “Drink water after washing your sorry.”
