The leaked WhatsApp group chat, "Alo Ashbei," has sparked outrage and hatred among netizens and entertainment industry professionals. The chat revealed a group of entertainers, politicians and journalists expressing heinous opinions about the student-led anti-discrimination protests that took place in July.
The protests initially focused on reforming the quota system for government jobs, escalated into a widespread revolt against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government. Violent clashes with security forces and subsequent deaths fuelled public anger, ultimately forcing Hasina to resign and flee to India on August 5.
After the students ousted Hasina, her prominent Awami League politicians and campaigners, as well as pro-Awami League artists disappeared into hiding. According to reports, actor and former Dhaka-10 lawmaker Ferdous Ahmed and former state minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat initiated the WhatsApp group ‘Alo Ashbei’, intending to plot against the anti-discrimination campaign.
According to UNB, pro-Awami League artists and journalists were among the group, alongside other political personalities. Based on the leaks that have been floating across social media platforms since Tuesday, the members of the group are Aruna Biswas, Sohana Saba, Ferdous Ahmed, Rokeya Prachy, Riaz Ahmed, Suborna Mustafa, Azizul Hakim, Badrul Anam Saud, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Zayed Khan, Shomi Kaiser, Tanvin Sweety, former information and broadcasting state minister Mohammad Ali Arafat, former Shilapakala DG Liaquat Ali Lucky, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Jyotika Jyoti, Shamima Tusty, Jamshed Shamim, Urmila Srabanti Kar, Zinat Sanu Swagata, Mamunur Rashid, Ebert Khan, Sazu Khadem, Hridi Haq, Ashraf Kabir, Deepanwita Martin, former member of the parliament Hasan Mahmud, Symon Sadik, Jewel Mahmud, Harunur Rashid, Jhuna Chowdhury, Syed Aulad, Said Khan, Sakhawat Mun, Smaran Saha, Sayem Samad, Rafiq (of 'Rojonigondha'), Shakil (Deshnatok), Shahid Alamgir, Nuna Afroz, Sangeeta Mekhal, Syeda Shahanur, Md Shahadat Hossain, Nahid, Milon, Pronil, S A Haque Olike, Runi, Rubel Shankar, Rajibul Islam Rajib, and journalists Khan Zehad and Limon Ahmed.
A total of 160 screenshots of that WhatsApp chat have now been leaked, in which some of the aforementioned artists were seen sharing explosive and vindictive remarks, in contrast to their public images. Some of them have been criticised during the protest for their activities in support of the ousted regime.
However, netizens and celebrities have been surprised to see the remarks, such as a controversial comment of actress and former Censor Board member Aruna Biswas "Pour hot water on them."
Several other group members, such as actress Sohana Saba and journalist Limon Ahmed, to name a few, were seen throwing negative remarks towards director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, actress Nazifa Tushi who have been an ardent supporter of the movement and regularly expressed their thoughts on social platforms.
Aruna Biswas, whose comments sparked severe criticism from the group and its pro-Awami League supporters, has quietly left the country and relocated safely to Canada, meanwhile, most members of the group remain in the country, albeit keeping a low public profile.
Other distasteful remarks were seen in that WhatsApp group against several artists who publicly demonstrated their support towards the student-led movement, and the leaked conversations have ignited a widespread backlash within the entertainment sphere and social platforms, sparking intense debate and criticism against the AL government-favoured artists in the group.
Click this link – courtesy of Amader Shomoy – to view the screenshots.
