Netizens and entertainment industry professionals were surprised and disgusted to explore leaked screenshots from a WhatsApp group named ‘Alo Ashbei’ in which a group of entertainers, politicians and journalists were seen voicing their heinous opinions on the student-led anti-discrimination protests in July.
The student-led protests began with a demand to reform the quota system for government jobs but coalesced into a full-scale revolt against the former premier Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government, reported UNB.
Clashes with security forces, and the deaths that resulted, fueled wider outrage against Hasina's rule forcing her to resign and leave the country for 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.
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 Jehad and Limon Ahmed.
