Popular Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has become the target of a coordinated online harassment campaign, according to Dhaka Mail. Obscene posts targeting the actress were reportedly published from a Facebook account operating under the name Maruf Khan Munna, which has been linked to the United Kingdom branch of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the former ruling Awami League. Her private mobile number was also publicly disclosed without consent.
Badhon Condemns Hypocrisy Over Women's Safety
The actress expressed outrage in a social media post, highlighting what she described as a glaring contradiction. She noted that a political party claims women will be safe when it is in power, yet its supporters simultaneously attack and harass women online.
"Now my personal mobile number is being spread from a Facebook account. What could be a bigger mockery than this?"
Badhon emphasized that sharing an individual's private contact details without permission is not merely harassment but a punishable criminal offense. She warned that attempts to frighten her, create panic, or silence her could carry consequences for the perpetrators as well.
Personal Toll and Mental Health Struggles
In a striking revelation, the actress disclosed the severe psychological toll that past pressures have taken on her. Badhon wrote that she had nearly transformed into a version of the kind of authoritarian figure she had opposed, referring to herself as having "almost become Hasina" — a statement widely interpreted as alluding to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I have taken therapy to keep myself human, and I am still taking it. I have also taken necessary medication. So intimidating me will not do much good."
She urged that power or vengeance should not turn her into a monster, and defiantly added: "Remember, I am a witch." The remark appeared to be a reclaiming of a label often used to vilify outspoken women, turning it into a statement of resilience.
Background: Badhon's Role in the Student Movement
Azmeri Haque Badhon was a visible presence during the anti-discrimination student movement that swept across Bangladesh. She took to the streets to protest against what she and many others viewed as systemic injustice. Her public stance during that period made her a recognizable figure in the movement, which ultimately contributed to the political upheaval that led to the end of Awami League's rule.
The current harassment campaign appears to be connected to that political context, with the alleged perpetrator's ties to the Awami League's student wing suggesting a possible retaliatory motive.
Why This Matters: Online Harassment and Accountability
The incident underscores a persistent and troubling pattern in Bangladesh's digital landscape: the weaponization of social media to target women, particularly those who speak out on political or social issues. Doxxing — the public release of private information such as phone numbers without consent — is increasingly used as a tool of intimidation.
For the Bangladeshi diaspora and observers of the country's political transition, this case highlights the ongoing tensions following the fall of the Awami League government. Activists and public figures who participated in the reform movement continue to face digital harassment, raising questions about accountability and the protection of free expression online.
Badhon's decision to speak openly about therapy and medication also carries significance in a society where mental health remains heavily stigmatized, particularly for women in the public eye. Her candor may encourage others facing similar pressures to seek help rather than suffer in silence.
