The dramatic fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government has triggered nationwide unrest. An interim government has already taken power, but the lack of police presence has allowed the situation to escalate into anarchy.

During this turmoil, some Indian media outlets have spread inflammatory reports, further inciting panic among religious minorities. This dangerous propaganda is exacerbating the instability.

Fact-checkers are struggling to keep up with the rapid spread of these false narratives. Rumor Scanner identified over 20 such rumors on August 9, with more than 30 additional harmful claims discovered on August 10. 

According to Rumour Scanner, on the afternoon of August 7, an ID on ‘X’ named Mohan Gowda posted a picture saying, "There is a crowd of refugees on the Bangladesh-Assam border". However, the picture that has been posted is a picture of a reunion of separated relatives living in the two countries on the Bangladesh-India border in 2018.

In the afternoon of August 7, a video was posted on ‘X’ by an ID named Salwan Momika saying, "Hindu women are being captured and sold in Bangladesh like in Iraq". But that video is of the time of tying up some BCL leaders in Begum Badrunnessa Government Women's College, said Rumour-Scanner.

On the same day evening, a video posted on Verified ‘X’ ID named 'The Jaipur Dialogues' said, 'Hindu women are being raped and killed in Bangladesh. They are at risk of genocide. But that video was of a silent protest demanding justice for those who instigated the suicide of Jagannath University student Fairuz Abantika.

On the morning of August 7, Sudarshan News posted a video on Verified ‘X’ ID saying, "The shop of a Hindu named Rajan Chandra has been set on fire in Lakshmipur". But that video is of a fire in a market in Majuchaudhuri of Lakshmipur.

On August 6, a video posted on Verified ‘X’ ID by the name 'Randomsena' claimed, 'Another Hindu temple has been set on fire'. But that video is of the incident of fire at the Raj Palace restaurant in Satkhira.

A post on Verified ‘X’ ID by the name of 'Baba Banaras' on August 6 afternoon claimed, "6 women including two children were burnt to death in Rangpur after being raped". But no such incident happened in Rangpur.

On the night of August 5, a video posted on ‘X’ ID titled 'Hindutva Night' read, "Bangladesh Hindu cricketer Liton Das' house set on fire". But that video is of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza house being set on fire.

However, Liton Das through a press released said his house was not set on fire. He is safe and fine.

On the other hand, the fact-check editor of AFP Bangladesh, Kadruddin Shishir, also identified some rumours-propaganda and shared those on his Facebook ID.

False propaganda in the name of the media

Meanwhile, rumor-propaganda is going on in the country's social media as well as Indian social media. Recently, a Facebook post was circulated citing Prothom Alo, where it is written, 'Looting in 62 thousand villages on the first day.'

Prothom Alo itself informed through a message on social media in this regard. 

In a post on the evening of August 6, Prothom Alo said it was a false campaign. The information spread in the name of Prothom Alo is fake and not published by them.

In this regard rumour-mongering affair, Minhaj Aman, a researcher at research institute Dismisslab, told Banglanews, 'Rumours crossing the border is not a new phenomenon. Just as news is global, fake news is also global.

This propaganda or rumor of Indian news and social media is catching the eyes of the international media as well. 

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has carried out an analytical report, stating that misleading articles and videos are being circulated on Indian media and social media platforms.

BDST: 1539 HRS, AUGUST 11, 2024
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