Event Summary
On 10 April 2026, a group of individuals were assaulted in Shahbag, Dhaka, following accusations related to their perceived sexual orientation. The incident occurred near the National Museum gate, in close proximity to Shahbag Police Station. Available reporting and video footage indicate that the assault followed the movement of a coordinated group associated with a procession under the banner of “Azadi Andolon,” which engaged in slogan-based verbal targeting prior to the escalation into physical violence.
Victims reported that they were approached while in a public setting and subjected to harassment, including sexual harassment of women, before being physically assaulted. Multiple sources further indicate that a transgender individual was present among those targeted, with some accounts suggesting the use of anti-transgender rhetoric during the incident, although this is not uniformly confirmed across all reporting. Video footage of the incident circulated on social media, increasing its visibility.
A complaint was subsequently filed with local police, and authorities have indicated that the matter is under investigation. However, there is no clear publicly available information regarding arrests or immediate accountability measures at the time of reporting. The incident reflects collective violence triggered by identity-based accusations, occurring in a central public space and in the vicinity of law enforcement presence.