Several people were reportedly beaten, and women were harassed near Shahbagh in the capital on Friday evening by a group allegedly operating under the name "Azadi Andolon," who had labelled the victims as homosexual.
The attack occurred at around 8pm near the gate of the National Museum. Footage subsequently shared across social media platforms captured a mob physically assaulting a number of individuals.
Those who were attacked stated that they had done nothing to provoke the assault, and further alleged that female members of their group were sexually harassed during the episode.
Speaking to media, victim Kazi Tahsin Agaz described how roughly 20 individuals had marched through the Shahbagh area voicing anti-homosexuality slogans.
"While we were having tea at a roadside shop nearby, the group surrounded us," he said.
"When we were about to leave the place, they started touching women inappropriately," he added.
"We repeatedly asked them not to beat us, but they kept hitting us, targeting our heads."
He noted that throughout the attack, the assailants were chanting slogans that incited violence against homosexual and transgender people.
He also alleged that a transgender individual who was present was beaten and struck on the head.
Fellow victim Nirnoy H Islam explained that he had visited the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University to watch preparations for the Mangal Shobhajatra.
"They were holding a rally there before we were attacked," he said, adding that he was kicked during the assault.
"I was trying to stop them, but they started targeting the women and beat us arbitrarily," he said.
He also raised the question of how a person's sexual orientation could possibly be determined from their clothing or physical appearance.
Prior to the attack, "Azadi Andolon" had reportedly organized a rally in Shahbagh demanding that the area be cleared of what they called "homosexual programs."
When reached for comment, Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman indicated that details surrounding the incident were still being gathered.
"We have asked the victims to seek medical treatment. We will look into the matter," he told, adding that no case had been filed in connection with the incident as of Friday night.