Journalists in Gaibandha have announced a boycott of Dhallywood actress Pori Moni, protesting her alleged verbal abuse and inappropriate behaviour towards a journalist while he was performing his professional duties at a Dhaka court.
They also held a protest rally on Sunday, expressing strong resentment over what they described as the actress’s insensitive conduct.
The rally was held around noon on November 8 on District Police Lines Road in Gaibandha town, with journalists from various print and electronic media outlets taking part.
At the rally, speakers said that on November 5, Pori Moni had allegedly behaved abusively towards RabiuI Islam Raju, a multimedia reporter of The Daily Samakal, at the Dhaka court premises. They said she verbally abused him and accused him of inappropriate touching. The speakers also pointed out that the journalist has a physical disability and that one of his hands is non-functional.
Journalist leaders said such conduct was unacceptable in an environment that upholds press freedom and the professional dignity of media workers. They stressed that journalists would remain united in defending their rights and professional respect.
The protesters announced that they would refrain from publishing news related to Pori Moni until she publicly expressed regret over the incident. They also warned that their protest programmes would continue.
The demonstration followed a press meet at the Gan Unnayan Kendra (GUK) Residential Model School and College in Gaibandha. After the event, around 50 journalists gathered in front of the institution and announced the boycott. Among those present were journalist leaders Sheikh Habibur Rahman, Siddik Alam Dayal and Faruk Hossain.
Earlier, organisers of the Chattogram Fashion Vanguard Award removed Pori Moni from the guest list following protests and boycott threats by journalists. Khaled Sumon, media coordinator and partner of the event, said the decision was taken in response to requests and objections from media professionals.
The event is scheduled to be held on November 28 at a community centre in the city's Khulshi area. Sumon said an agreement had been reached with the actress before the recent controversy involving the journalist. However, the organisers decided to drop her from the guest list following the protests and have issued a revised poster.
Meanwhile, Pori Moni was scheduled to appear before a court last Wednesday in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud over alleged attempted murder and vandalism. She did not appear, citing an allergy-related illness. The court subsequently cancelled her bail and issued an arrest warrant.
The following day, Thursday, she appeared before the court to surrender, accompanied by a large number of bodyguards.
Controversies surrounding the actress's conduct at court premises are not new. In 2021, following her release from jail in a drug-related case, she reportedly displayed the words “Don't Love Me Bitch” written on her palm while emerging from a prison van. Her hand gestures in front of cameras also drew widespread attention at the time. Media reports also covered her shouting in the dock and expressing anger towards police during a remand hearing.