Netizens and entertainment industry professionals were surprised and shocked when screenshots from a WhatsApp group named "Alo Ashbei" came to light. The chat group had some entertainers, politicians and journalists voicing their negative opinions on the student-led Anti-discrimination Movement in July.
The student 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.
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, Awami League politicians and campaigners, as well as vocal pro-Awami League artists have gone 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 work against the student protests.
Pro-Awami League artists and journalists were among the group, alongside other political personalities. Based on the leaks that are circulating on social media platforms since Tuesday, the group included 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 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 MP 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.
A total of 160 screenshots of that WhatsApp chat have been leaked, in which some of the aforementioned artists were seen sharing explosive remarks, in contrast to their public image. Some of them have been criticised during the protests for their activities in support of the now ousted regime.
However, netizens and celebrities have been surprised to see the remarks, such as a controversial comment made by actress and former Censor Board member Aruna Biswas who seemed to suggest "Pour hot water on them," indicating the protesting students. She later clarified to The Daily Star that her comment was misinterpreted and that she was referring to those responsible for the vandalism, whom she claimed were members of "Jamaat-Shibir".
Several other group members, such as actress Sohana Saba and journalist Limon Ahmed, to name a few, were seen throwing negative remarks towards director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who has been an ardent supporter of the movement and regularly expressed his thoughts on social platforms.
Other distasteful remarks were seen in that WhatsApp group against a number of artists who publicly demonstrated their support towards the student-led movement, and the leaked conversations have ignited a widespread backlash within the entertainment arena and social platforms, sparking intense debate and criticism against the AL government-favoured artists in the group.