Bid to stir anti-India feelings, says Bangladesh actor now in hiding

KOLKATA: Bangladesh's National award-winning actress Rokeya Prachi, a decade-long member of Awami League, has been in hiding since Aug 14, 2024, following an attack by a mob on her way to pay respects to Mujibur Rahman on his death anniversary. From an undisclosed location, Prachi told TOI that the recent violence in Bangladesh appeared to be part of a "strategic plan by the interim govt to stir anti-India sentiments, aimed at retaining power and supporting the agendas of fundamentalists from Pakistan, Turkiye and the Deep State".

Prachi's father was president of Workers' League's Mirpur unit during Bangabandhu's tenure. She began her political career in 2012 as a trade union member of the Workers' Federation, led by ex-naval minister Shahjahan Khan, currently in prison. "We're hearing about people being lynched in daylight. Our nation has been attacked, & we're not doing well," said Prachi, a member of Bangladesh Awami League's Relief and Welfare Affairs committee.


The Bangladeshi theatre, TV and film actress and director emphasised the importance of understanding the fact that these "barbaric incidents had been occurring since Aug 5, 2024". "Now, social media is active and humanitarian groups worldwide are monitoring the events. After Md Yunus came to power, criminals responsible for the attacks were granted indemnity. They had a large number of arms to attack police stations. More ammunition has come in over the past 16 months," said Prachi.

She raised questions about the plausible reason behind the killing of Osman Hadi in Dhaka. "This party hardly has the manpower. Yet, Hadi was nominated to contest in the Dhaka - 8 seat. His opponent was BNP's Mirza Abbas. Hadi was attacked at a place near Jammat-e-Islami's office. Now the seat is under Jammat's control. BNP is under scanner after Hadi's killing. ," Prachi said. According to Prachi, Md Yunus wants Jammat-e-Islami to assume office in Bangladesh.