Govt to make 'maximum' efforts to bring back goons who attacked actress Badhon

The protest over the attack on actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has reached parliament. Two members of parliament raised the issue and sought to know the government's steps. In response, the government stated that the attackers will be brought back to the country and face punitive action.

Badhon, an actress who was active in the July movement, was attacked yesterday, Monday, in the city of Venice, Italy. She and her family members were assaulted in a park.

Shortly after the incident, Badhon went live on Facebook and provided details. She claimed that the attackers were supporters of the Awami League. The party's activities are currently banned in the country following its ouster from power in the July uprising of 2024.

Amid widespread discussion over the incident, at the start of today's parliamentary session on Tuesday, Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, a member of parliament from the reserved women's seats, stood up to speak on the matter.

When Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, gave her the floor, this MP nominated by BNP, said she wanted to draw the attention of parliament to a matter of 'special importance'.

After the Deputy Speaker gave his consent, Jaharat highlighted the attack on Badhon in Italy and said that the sole reason for this attack was that she is a July fighter. She said that 'identified people of the fascist government' carried out this attack.

Claiming that the attackers have been identified, she asked what steps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taking in this regard.

At that point, the Deputy Speaker said that this was a condemnable offense, a crime against humanity.

However, as neither the Foreign Minister nor the two State Ministers were present in the chamber at that time, Kayser Kamal informed that he would raise the matter once they arrived.

Later, following the scheduled question-answer session, during the unscheduled discussion, Akhter Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stood up and raised the same issue.

He said, 'Fugitive terrorists of the Awami League and Chhatra League attacked her (Bandhan). She was attacked because she participated in the July movement.'

Recalling that such incidents have happened before, Akhter mentioned the attack on himself in the United States last year.

He asked the government, 'Are these attackers getting away with such attacks, and does the government have any plan to bring them under the law?'

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal then sought a response from State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir, who was present in the session.

This was Humayun Kabir's first day attending a parliamentary session after assuming his ministerial duties. Standing to respond in parliament, he first paid tribute to the July martyrs and fighters for their role in ousting the Awami League from power.

Humayun Kabir said that attacking a July fighter means attacking their democratic system of governance.

Regarding the attack on Badhon, he said, 'Terrorists expelled from Bangladesh carried out this attack on her. I spoke with the Foreign Secretary this morning regarding the matter. We have informed the Italian police office. Badhon is being provided with the highest level of consular services.'

Informing that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had spoken with Badhon over the phone on his behalf, the State Minister said, 'We have extended our full support to her.'

He mentioned that Badhon has already filed a complaint with the Italian police, and that the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome and the Consulate in Milan are in contact with her.

'We will take the maximum measures to bring them (the attackers) back to this country,' said the State Minister for Foreign Affairs.