This is not the first time someone from entertainment industry was arrested. It happened many times in the past. Newspapers reported on it. Electronic media also broadcasted live. These served to satisfy people’s curiosity.
Many artistes had to go on appealing regularly to the special branch of police over the model Tinni murder incident. That was during BNP’s tenure in government. Finally, it came to a halt at the intervention from the high level. Despite this, such incidents happened with several famous actresses. And we say, put them on trial but don’t run a media trial. Nothing came out of the trials against those who were arrested in the past.
Many things have come to light from what happened recently and what hasn’t been revealed has turned into rumours. Gossip has been spreading. Pori Moni is the lone familiar face among those who have been arrested recently. She starred in several films and drew controversy for various reasons. We have no knowledge on whether anyone knows the 'models' among the arrestees but we don’t know them. They can’t be confused with Pori Moni.
An actor or actress has to work so hard to reach the peak of the popularity. Pori Moni hardly did so. She got acquainted with powerful individuals of the society for various reasons. As a result, she grew a confidence that she is immune to the law. That’s why she took the names of high officials and also sought justice from prime minister. The media picked up her issue. People saw liquors stashed in her apartment. Since alcohol is banned under existing laws, how this was in her house is a question.
It is easy to assassin a woman’s character in our society. A still image is enough to humiliate a woman. Today’s electronic media shows adequate interest to broadcast such news. And this runs a trial against these women. There are several laws related to it. In some cases, there is no law at all. Existing laws are not followed at all the times. If the issue was not propagated in such way and legal proceedings were followed, the apparent loss of Pori Moni dignity and that of others, would not happen. It would have been proper to reveal what could be proven trough trial, argument and legal proceedings. If the law is enforced properly, this can protect us from such many incidents.
Mamunur Rashid is a veteran actor.