Bangladeshi Actress Jaya Ahsan Faces Backlash for Participating in India Independence Day March

KOLKATA — Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan has faced intense social media backlash following her participation in a midnight march in Kolkata to commemorate India’s Independence Day on August 15.

The event, organized by BJP leader Agnimitra Paul and a prominent media outlet, featured several veteran Tollywood actresses including Rituparna Sengupta, Chaiti Ghoshal, and Indrani Halder. Ahsan, who maintains a robust career in both the Bangladeshi and Indian film industries, joined the procession, sparking immediate criticism regarding her involvement in a foreign national celebration.

Actress Sreelekha Mitra publicly questioned Ahsan’s participation through a series of sharp social media posts. Mitra challenged the actress’s presence, suggesting that such public displays of patriotism in a neighboring country are hypocritical. In her post, Mitra utilized a sarcastic tone, questioning when Ahsan had adopted Indian nationality and drawing comparisons to other controversial public figures, ultimately labeling the participation as performative.

The online discourse escalated as some social media users targeted Ahsan with derogatory remarks. Mitra engaged with these comments, further fueling the controversy surrounding the Bangladeshi star’s attendance.

Despite the public outcry, associates of the event organizers confirmed that Ahsan was invited specifically by Agnimitra Paul. Sources close to the actress noted that she canceled her scheduled return flight to Dhaka to participate in the walkathon, which organizers maintained was intended to promote themes of women’s safety, independence, and equality.

During the event, Ahsan joined fellow artists in performing patriotic songs, including “Karar Oi Louho Kapat” and “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.” While the walkathon was billed as a solidarity march for women’s rights, the political undertones of the event and Ahsan’s participation have triggered a polarized debate on social media regarding the cross-border professional and personal conduct of public figures.