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A complaint has been filed with Shahbagh Police Station against actress Meher Afroz Shawon, film actress Mahia Mahi and a woman identified as Shanta Farzana, accusing them of making derogatory remarks about the martyrs and memorials of the July Uprising and spreading misinformation on social media.
The complaint was lodged on Friday (July 3) by ANM Ayas and Tuhin Forazi, central member secretaries of the organisation Rashtra Sanglap Forum, along with its chief organiser, Muhammad Shah Alam Badsha.
Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Moniruzzaman confirmed the matter on Saturday (July 4).
According to the complaint, the July Uprising has become a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s history, achieved through the sacrifice of more than 1,400 martyrs and over 30,000 injured protesters.
It alleges that several individuals have recently made derogatory remarks and engaged in actions insulting the movement, its memorials and those who participated in it.
The complaint alleges that Shanta Farzana posted a video on Facebook showing her throwing or striking a shoe at the July memorial, an act it claims insulted the memory of the martyrs and triggered public outrage.
It further alleges that Meher Afroz Shawon, through a series of videos posted on social media, portrayed the July Uprising as a staged or orchestrated event and made remarks deemed offensive toward the state and the movement.
The complaint also accuses Mahia Mahi of mocking individuals and organisations involved in the July Uprising by comparing their participation to acting in performances.
It claims her remarks demeaned political parties, participants of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and others associated with the uprising, provoking widespread public reaction.
OC Moniruzzaman said the complaint had been forwarded to the Cyber Division of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for investigation, as it involves alleged cyber-related offences.
“The DB Cyber Division will thoroughly examine the allegations. If the investigation finds the claims to be true and evidence of involvement is established, legal action will be taken against the accused in accordance with the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, at a programme held on Saturday at the China Friendship Conference Center in the capital, a participant described as a July Uprising activist addressed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying, “Is Shawon more powerful than Sheikh Hasina? How does she dare to insult July and the July fighters in this way?”