Right-Wing Exploits Bangladesh Situation with Misinformation: Bangladeshi Hindu Counters

In the wake of turmoil in Bangladesh where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled to India leaving behind a country in chaos. The right-wing in India is upset by the overthrow of Hasina, a close ally of the Narendra Modi-led government. They are exploiting the situation with fake narratives and visuals, falsely claiming that Hindus are under attack in Bangladesh.

Angered by the propaganda in India, Advocate Gobinda Pramanik, General Secretary of the Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot busted the claims of violence against minorities. He clarified in a courageous video message that contrary to fears of widespread violence, the Hindu community has not faced any significant attacks. Pramanik lashed out at the Indian media, particularly Republic TV for spreading misinformation and humorously suggested that if India is so concerned about Hasina it should consider making her Prime Minister given her alleged protective influence over the region.

A few minor communal clashes have been reported since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament. Despite these incidents, Bangladeshi Muslims have actively protected minorities, sharing images of themselves guarding temples and urging peace from mosques. However, these incidents have not prevented the spread of misinformation in India, where right-wing influencers are exploiting the chaos to fuel communal tensions.

However, while the video posted by Pramanik may not stop Indian media and right-wing influencers from making assumptions about violence, it has the potential to discourage misinformation.

No incident of attack on temples, announce Hasina as your PM- Hindu advocate

The right-wing and Indian media have contributed to growing tensions and misconceptions. Advocate Gobina Pramanik in response has provided a firsthand account to clarify the actual situation on the ground. In a video message, he said:

“I am Advocate Gobinda Pramanik, general secretary of Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot. After Sheikh Hasina’s resignation last afternoon, the Hindu community of this country thought they would be attacked massively and there would be incidents of arson. 

However, leaders of the BNP and Jamaat instructed their functionaries to ensure that Hindu homes were not attacked and temples were protected. And we have seen that temples are being protected. There have been no attacks on temples or Hindus. The homes of some active Hindu leaders from the Awami League, as well as those of certain Muslim leaders, were attacked. Some opportunistic people attacked a few local temples, but there was no major incident. 

But we saw Republic TV from India spreading rumours and making strange claims. Today, I saw them making up stories about Sheikh Hasina. They are pained at Bangabandhu’s statue being demolished. I told a journalist who called me, “If you are so worried about Hasina, please remove PM Modi and announce Sheikh Hasina as your PM. She will protect India and also the Seven Sisters. You are saying every day that Seven Sisters would not exist if Hasina were not there. Now this is a big opportunity for you. You make Sheikh Hasina India’s PM.”

India has provided shelter to Sheikh Hasina since she departed from Bangladesh. Reports suggest Hasina might stay in India for an extended period amidst uncertainties of asylum in another country. 

Indian News channel Republic TV in their usual manner made several unsubstantiated claims about the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh. 

In one of the tweets they wrote, “Sheikh Hasina is out, Army takes control. Hindus at risk in Bangladesh.” 

Screenshot grabbed from Republic TV “X” handle

Calls for Peace, Justice and Democracy 

A senior journalist Khairuzzaman from Dhaka in conversation with the eNewsroom said that the country is passing through a crucial situation with the reclamation of a new regime. “The students who struggled for a month invoking revolution among the masses have earned a victory in a historic moment. The army chief has assured no anarchy requesting the citizens to keep calm. The student leaders have also called for communal harmony giving a message of peace. We believe there won’t be lawlessness and are looking forward to the next course of action of the army, student leaders, political parties, and activists. The violence, which no one wanted, reflects the weakness of Sheikh Hasina’s government. We all demand peace, justice, and democracy,” the journalist remarked.

300 protestors were killed in the aftermath of anti-quota and then anti-government violence in Bangladesh. Nearly 100 died only on Sunday after which Sheikh Hasina resigned fleeing the country. The army has taken over the nation promising an interim government and requesting everyone’s cooperation.

Inflammatory tweet by BJP MLA

Amid these tensions, BJP firebrand MLA Nitish Rane known for his controversial statements did not hesitate to stoke the flames further. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “If Hindus are targeted and killed in Bangladesh.. Why should we allow even one Bangladeshi to breathe here.. Hum bhi chun chun ke marenge.. (We will also hunt them down one by one..)” (Hindu lives matter #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus.”

The inflammatory tweet was targeted at none other than Indian Muslims often labelled as “Bangladeshi infiltrators” by BJP leaders and right-wing influencers.

However, X removed the Tweet after several complaints were raised.

(screenshot of Nitish Rane’s Tweet which is now removed from X)

Misinformation and misuse of social media by right-wing during crisis

Several right-wing influencers besides Rane deliberately promoted fake news to incite communal tensions and anti-Muslim hatred in India.

There was a special announcement on a loudspeaker from inside the Mosque in Bangladesh, “Dear Citizens, we ‘Students Against Discrimination’ are requesting you, during this period of unrest in the country, to maintain communal harmony. We must protect Hindu minorities, safeguarding their lives and property from miscreants. It is your responsibility, our responsibility, and everyone’s responsibility. Let’s all be vigilant.”

Despite this, right-wing influencers have left no room to foster peace and instead have intensified communal tensions.

A user @visegrad24 on X wrote, “Islamists in Bangladesh incite a crowd to loot a Hindu-owned store in the Chittagong Market. Hindus are losing lives, homes, and property due to the Islamist attacks against them after the government was overthrown yesterday.”

Fact-checker Mohammad Zubair of Alt News has busted the misinformation. “The brand “Yellow” is owned by Salman Fazlur Rahma, Close to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. You can see “On Fire Restaurant” beside “Yellow.”

X handle Hindutva Knight (@HPhobiaWatch) also wrote, “Bangladeshi Hindu cricketer Liton Das’ house has been set on fire.”

Another X user Sunanda Roy (@SaffronSunanda) wrote, “He is Liton Das, a Bangladeshi cricketer. He is a national Hero of Bangladesh. His house was set on fire by Islamists. This is the condition of an elite Hindu in Bangladesh. Just imagine the condition of common Hindus. #SaveBangladeshiHindus.”

Several X accounts made similar claims.

Alt News fact-checked and found the claims were misleading. The vandalized and torched home belongs to Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, a lawmaker from the Narail-2 constituency, along with the houses of district parishad chairman Adv. Subhash Chandra Bose and district Awami League general secretary Nizam Uddin Khan Nilu. The district Awami League office was also set on fire.

Right-wing influencer Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) shared a video writing, “Very disturbing visuals received via dm from #Bangladesh.

An old Hindu man is lynched and hanged on a statue. Islamists were seen raising AIIah-Hu-Akbar slogans around him…

The world must see this… The real face of Islamists…

#BangladeshViolence #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus.)”

Alt News confirmed that the man in the video with the disfigured body is slain Awami League leader Shahidul Islam Hiron from Jhenaidah in Bangladesh. It is viral in India as a Hindu man lynched by Muslims.

Appeals of Bengal Police to curb misinformation

Meanwhile, the West Bengal police to curb the misinformation took on X writing, “A few local media channels have been reporting on the situation in Bangladesh in a blatantly provocative and communal manner, in clear violation of Press Council of India norms. ..(1/2)

Screenshot of West Bengal police tweet on X

We would urge all viewers to use discretion while viewing such coverage and to remember that none of the footage being aired has been verified by a third party. Please don’t fall victim to one-sided narratives and misinformation. Keep calm and maintain peace. (2/2)

While right-wing influencers and media outlets in India have seized on the situation to push divisive narratives, advocates, and journalists within Bangladesh emphasize the importance of communal harmony and peace.