Model Naila Nayem accused of pushing her, asking 'Why isn't she wearing a headscarf?'

Actress and model Naila Nayem has alleged that she was physically assaulted while shopping at a local market in Savar, claiming that a man pushed her after questioning why she was not covering her head.

The allegation was made in a post published on her verified Facebook account on Tuesday (June 2).

According to Naila Nayem, the incident occurred while she was buying vegetables with her mother at a local market. She claimed that a bearded man wearing a cap, estimated to be between 42 and 45 years old, pushed her to the ground and verbally confronted her, asking, "Why is your head not covered?"

In her post, Naila Nayem said those who know her personally are aware that she dresses modestly and that she is not involved in politics.

"I was shopping for vegetables with my mother when I was suddenly pushed to the ground. My bag fell from my hand and I injured my hand," she wrote.

She said the incident happened so suddenly that she had little time to react before her mother pulled her away from the scene and took her home in an auto-rickshaw.

"My mother is still trembling with fear," she added.

Expressing frustration over the incident, Naila Nayem also posted a strongly worded reaction on social media criticizing the state of public safety.

No official statement from law enforcement authorities regarding the alleged incident was immediately available.

Naila Nayem, who holds a degree in dental surgery, first gained prominence through modelling and television commercials before expanding her career into television dramas, films and item songs. She later became one of Bangladesh's most widely discussed social media personalities.

In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, she has frequently spoken out on social and humanitarian issues, including animal welfare and public awareness campaigns.