Anti-Bangladeshi disinformation in India: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Disinformation campaign}} |
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Anti-Bangladeshi disinformation in India|timestamp=20250108192943|year=2025|month=January|day=8|substed=yes|help=off}} |
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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}} |
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{{POV|date=January 2025|talk=Disinformation or misinformation}} |
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⚫ | Following the [[Student–People's uprising]] which [[Resignation of Sheikh Hasina|ousted]] Bangladesh's longtime [[authoritarian]] [[Prime minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] [[Sheikh Hasina]], a strong ally of India, [[Mass media in India|Indian media]] began disseminating disinformation against Bangladesh with an intent to destabilise the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disinformation wars: A symptom of strained India-Bangladesh diplomacy? |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/disinformation-wars-symptom-strained-india-bangladesh-diplomacy-1018396 |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=The Business Standard |date=14 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="diplomat" /><ref name="Islamophobic">{{cite news |last1=Mahmud |first1=Faisal |last2=Sarker |first2=Saqib |title='Islamophobic, alarmist': How some India outlets covered Bangladesh crisis |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/8/islamophobic-alarmist-how-some-india-outlets-covered-bangladesh-crisis |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="misinfo" /> The themes include misleading or exaggerated reports on the [[2024 Bangladesh post-resignation violence|post-resignation violence]] against [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Bangladesh's Hindu community]], discrediting the backgrounds or activities of the cabinet members of [[Yunus interim government|interim government of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh's New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/bangladeshs-new-democracy-under-threat-from-flood-of-misinformation/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Diplomat}}</ref><ref name="scmp1" >{{cite news |title=Misinformation over Hindus being targeted in Bangladesh fuels Islamophobia fears |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3275603/misinformation-about-hindus-being-targeted-bangladesh-fuels-islamophobia-fears |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=23 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="diplomat" >{{cite news |title=Disinformation About Attacks on Minorities Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Bangladesh |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/disinformation-about-attacks-on-minorities-threaten-stabilization-efforts-in-bangladesh/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Diplomat}}</ref> [[Sensationalism|Sensationalist]] media outlets, attempted to portray the uprising as an [[Islamism|Islamist]]-backed [[Coup d'état|military takeover]] of the country purportedly orchestrated by India's rivals, [[Pakistan]] (through its [[Inter-Services Intelligence|intelligence agency]]) & [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mojumdar |first=Aunohita |date=24 August 2024 |title=How India's majoritarian politics drive its lazy and dismissive commentary on Bangladesh |url=https://amp.scroll.in/article/1072377/how-indias-majoritarian-politics-drive-its-lazy-and-dismissive-commentary-on-bangladesh |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bajpai |first=Shailaja |date=8 August 2024 |title=Indian TV news blame US, China, Pakistan for Bangladesh, call it 'Islamist takeover' |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/telescope/indian-tv-news-is-openly-blaming-us-china-pakistan-for-bangladesh-govt-isnt-stopping-them/2213761/ |access-date=21 October 2024 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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In the aftermath of the [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)|full-fledged mass uprising]] on 5 August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and exile to India, while an interim government led by the [[Nobel laureate]] [[Muhammad Yunus]] assumed office. Hasina had long been a strong ally of India and was alleged many times for working for Indian interests in Bangladesh, often at the cost of Bangladesh's sovereignty. Soon after Hasina's departure, [[Bangladesh–India relations|diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India]] began to deteriorate.<ref name="South China Morning Post">{{cite news |title=Bangladeshis launch 'India Out' campaign over alleged meddling linked to Hasina |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3253018/bangladeshis-launch-india-out-campaign-over-new-delhis-alleged-meddling-keep-hasina-power |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=23 February 2024 |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714004658/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3253018/bangladeshis-launch-india-out-campaign-over-new-delhis-alleged-meddling-keep-hasina-power |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kapoor">{{cite news |title=What does Sheikh Hasina's resignation mean for India-Bangladesh relations? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/8/12/what-does-sheikh-hasinas-resignation-mean-for-india-bangladesh-relations |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915062926/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/8/12/what-does-sheikh-hasinas-resignation-mean-for-india-bangladesh-relations |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ellis">{{cite news |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |title='A myopic policy': India's backing of ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina leaves it in a bind |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/03/a-myopic-policy-indias-backing-of-ousted-bangladesh-leader-sheikh-hasina-leaves-it-in-a-bind |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 September 2024}}</ref> |
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== Disinformation == |
== Disinformation == |
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{{also|Fake news in India}} |
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=== Violence against Hindus === |
=== Violence against Hindus === |
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Following the departure of Sheikh Hasina, Indian media outlets, quoting BJP leader and leader of the opposition in the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]], [[Suvendu Adhikari]], falsely claimed that over 10 million Bangladeshi Hindus are fleeing to India for refuge, claiming that Bangladesh is turning into an "Islamic State".<ref name="Islamophobic" /> |
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A false report also claimed that the house of [[Bangladesh national cricket team#Players|Bangladeshi cricketer]] [[Liton Das]] |
A false report also claimed that the house of [[Bangladesh national cricket team#Players|Bangladeshi cricketer]] [[Liton Das]] was set on fire, which was later debunked.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/did-protesters-set-hindu-bangladesh-player-liton-das-house-on-fire-1814783|title=Did protesters set Hindu Bangladesh cricketer Liton Das' house on fire?|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=7 August 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809235821/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/did-protesters-set-hindu-bangladesh-player-liton-das-house-on-fire-1814783|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofoman.com/article/148542-fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh|title=Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh|work=[[Times of Oman]]|date= 8 August 2024}}</ref> Das himself refuted the claim in a Facebook post.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/354213/litton-denies-rumors-of-attack-on-his-home|title=Litton denies rumors of attack on his home|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Several television news outlets also ran headlines falsely claiming that the violence constituted an "act of genocide" and a "[[pogrom]]", while an alleged arson attack on a [[Hindu temple]] was later found to have occurred at an adjacent [[Awami League]] office.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-violence-hindu-sheikh-hasina-85fe6619c38e1b07e407441cb054a74e |title=The violence in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster stirs fear within the country's Hindu minority |work=[[Associated Press]]|date=14 August 2024}}</ref> |
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Numerous India-based social media accounts circulated several misleading videos and images about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, using hashtags such as |
Numerous India-based social media accounts circulated several misleading videos and images about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, using hashtags such as ''AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus'' and ''SaveBangladeshiHindus'', which were subsequently debunked by several fact-checking organisations.<ref name="misinfo">{{cite news |script-title=bn:বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা নিয়ে ভারতে অপতথ্যের প্রচার |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |access-date=11 August 2024 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=11 August 2024 |language=bn |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811194004/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==== Scripted interviews ==== |
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Indian media reporters were seen confiscating the passports of Bangladeshi Hindus travelling to India and forcing them to give false interviews on the "alleged Hindu persecution in Bangladesh".<ref name="jago1">{{cite news |title=Passport power play: Scripted interview on 'persecution' |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/78977 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Jago News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=বাংলাদেশ সীমান্ত পার হয়ে কলকাতা ঢুকতেই কেড়ে নেয়া হচ্ছে পাসপোর্ট |url=https://www.bvnews24.com/country/news/167164 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Bangla Vision |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=বাংলাদেশি হিন্দুদের পাসপোর্ট কেড়ে ভারতে নেওয়া হচ্ছে সাজানো সাক্ষাৎকার |url=https://www.desh.tv/country-news/49640 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Desh TV |date=10 December 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> The situation came into notice when Shuvo Karmakar from [[Faridpur District]] gave a false interview to ''[[ABP Ananda]]'' about attacks on Hindus living in his hometown. As journalists visited the place to fact-check, the residents described the allegations to be false while his parents said that Karmakar's passport was confiscated by Indian reporters as soon as he entered India through the [[Petrapole]] border. Karmakar was then forced to give a scripted interview with false accounts of attacks on Hindus.<ref>{{cite news |title=ভারতীয় মিডিয়ার বিরুদ্ধে গুরুতর অভিযোগ |url=https://banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/1438930.details |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=banglanews24.com |date=11 December 2024 |language=bn}}</ref> |
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=== Reports on interim government === |
=== Reports on interim government === |
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On 11 September 2024, Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, an editor of the Indian newspaper ''[[The Economic Times]]'', published a false report stating that Alam is a former member of the Islamist organisation, [[Hizb ut-Tahrir (Bangladesh)|Hizb ut-Tahrir]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhury |first=Dipanjan Roy |date= |
On 11 September 2024, Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, an editor of the Indian newspaper ''[[The Economic Times]]'', published a false report stating that [[Mahfuz Alam]], an [[Adviser (Bangladesh)|adviser]] to the Yunus government, is a former member of the outlawed [[Islamist]] organisation, [[Hizb ut-Tahrir (Bangladesh)|Hizb ut-Tahrir]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhury |first=Dipanjan Roy |date=11 September 2024 |title=Outlawed radical outfit Hizb ut Tahrir pressurises Bangladesh interim government to lift ban |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/outlawed-radical-outfit-hizb-ut-tahrir-pressurises-bangladesh-interim-government-to-lift-ban/articleshow/113245985.cms?from=mdr |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Alam later addressed the issue on his verified [[Facebook]] page, stating that he has never been affiliated with the organisation and has consistently opposed its ideology. He also characterised the report as a "smear campaign" by the Indian media.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mahfuz forced to issue clarifications on his belief system, ideology, role in movement |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/358473/mahfuz-forced-to-issue-clarifications-on-his |access-date=6 October 2024 |date=14 September 2024|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref> |
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''[[Republic Bangla]]'' produced a fake news on 6 November 2024, where the news anchor was seen claiming that the Chief |
''[[Republic Bangla]]'' produced a fake news on 6 November 2024, where the news anchor was seen claiming that the [[Chief Adviser (Bangladesh)|chief adviser]] Muhammad Yunus has fled to France following [[Donald Trump]]'s reelection as the [[president of the United States]] in [[2024 United States presidential election|2024]]. The anchor was then joined by the channel's senior editor Anirban Sinha, who corroborated the false claim, stating that Yunus had left the country and now staying in Paris.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:প্রধান উপদেষ্টাকে নিয়ে গুজব ছড়াচ্ছে রিপাবলিক বাংলা |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/miscellaneous/2024/11/07/1443846 |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=[[Kaler Kantho]]|date=November 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:দেশেই আছেন প্রধান উপদেষ্টা, মার্কিন নির্বাচন ঘিরে তাঁকে নিয়ে ভারতের আর বাংলার গুজব |url=https://www.amadershomoy.com/media/article/127655/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=[[Amader Shomoy]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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In December 2024, ''[[Aaj Tak]]'' falsely claimed that [[Pakistani Armed Forces]] were patrolling the streets in Bangladesh. Showing a video, the outlet claimed that SWAT members from [[Punjab, Pakistan]] had landed in Dhaka. Debunking the claims, fact-checking revealed that the forces shown in the video were not Pakistanis but members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT) of [[Bangladesh Police]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rumor Scanner debunks Indian media report on Pakistani force in Bangladesh |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/rumor-scanner-debunks-indian-media-report-on-pakistani-force-in-bangladesh |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Murder of Saiful Islam Alif === |
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{{Main|Murder of Saiful Islam Alif}} |
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In November 2024, following the [[murder of Saiful Islam Alif]], a lawyer, in [[Chittagong]], several Indian media outlets, including ''[[FirstPost]]'', ''[[The Economic Times]]'', ''[[Republic World]]'' and ''[[OpIndia]]'', published fabricated reports claiming that Alif was the lawyer of [[Chinmoy Krishna Das]], a Hindu leader who was arrested on sedition charges.<ref name="ndtv">{{cite news |title=Fact Check: Lawyer Killed In Bangladesh Was Not Defending Arrested Former ISKCON Priest |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fact-check-lawyer-killed-in-bangladesh-was-not-defending-arrested-former-iskcon-priest-chinmoy-krishna-das-brahmachari-7125937 |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> Indian media outlets also falsely claimed that Alif was shot dead by the [[Bangladesh Police|police]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/1431145.details |script-title=bn:নিহত সাইফুলকে চিন্ময় দাসের আইনজীবী দাবি করে ভারতীয় সংবাদমাধ্যমে মিথ্যাচার |lang=bn |access-date=28 November 2024|work=Banglanews24.com|date=27 November 2024 }}</ref> However, reports indicated that Alif was in fact killed by the followers of Das.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:ইসকন সমর্থকদের হাতে খুন আলিফ চিরনিদ্রায় শায়িত |url=https://www.jugantor.com/country-news/884144 |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=[[Jugantor]]}}</ref> |
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== Analysis == |
== Analysis == |
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⚫ | Analyst Farid Erkizia Bakht suggested that India's intent to destabilise Bangladesh through these disinformation campaigns stems from the disappointment of losing a valuable ally like Sheikh Hasina and from apprehensions about the new government in the country harbouring [[Anti-Indian sentiment#Bangladesh|anti-Indian sentiments]]. According to Bangladeshi political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman, Indian media viewed the mass uprising against the Hasina-government in Bangladesh through "their [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] eye", despite the view in Bangladesh that it was a popular movement.<ref name="Islamophobic" /> [[Jon Danilowicz]], a retired American diplomat, described the situation as India "stubbornly doubling down on its failed Bangladesh policy", adding that charges like the Yunus-led government being "an Islamist regime" or the "genocide against the Hindu minority" in Bangladesh to be "ridiculously untrue".<ref>{{cite news |title=Tensions peak as Bangladesh blames India for 'spreading misinformation' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/tensions-peak-as-bangladesh-blames-india-for-spreading-misinformation-/7895753.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Voice of America |date=10 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> |
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⚫ | ''[[BBC News]]'', ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'', ''[[France 24]]'' and some [[List of fact-checking websites|fаct-checking websites]] highlighted several rumours circulated on [[Twitter|X]] and other [[Social media|social medias]].<ref name="BBC fact check" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghaedi |first=Monir |date=7 August 2024 |title=Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh |url=https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh/a-69870923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808230641/https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh/a-69870923 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2024 |title=Attacks and online misinformation frighten Bangladeshi Hindus |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240811-attacks-and-online-misinformation-frighten-bangladeshi-hindus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811150354/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240811-attacks-and-online-misinformation-frighten-bangladeshi-hindus |archive-date=11 August 2024 |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=[[France 24]]}}</ref> ''[[BBC Verify]]'' has highlighted some false information circulating on social media that has been exaggerated or is unrelated to the actual incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/attacks-minorities-bbc-dismislab-debunk-fake-news-3675136|title=Attacks on minorities: BBC, dismislab debunk fake news|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=12 August 2024|access-date=14 August 2024|archive-date=14 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814151728/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/attacks-minorities-bbc-dismislab-debunk-fake-news-3675136|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/354457/bbc-verify-uncovers-misinformation-about-hindu|title=BBC Verify uncovers misinformation about Hindu persecution in Bangladesh|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=12 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="BBC fact check">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2n8pzk7gzo |title=Far-right spreads false claims about Muslim attacks in Bangladesh |work=[[BBC News]] |date=18 August 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |archive-date=18 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818115031/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2n8pzk7gzo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AFP fact check">{{cite web |title=Old video of student rally falsely shared as Hindus protesting in Bangladesh after PM ouster |url=https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.36E99XN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820103449/https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.36E99XN |archive-date=20 August 2024 |access-date=20 August 2024 |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh reels from ripple effects of misinformation out of India|url=https://scroll.in/article/1076961/bangladesh-reels-from-ripple-effects-of-misinformation-out-of-india|website=Scoll |author=Kaniz Famita|date=2024-12-20 |access-date=2024-12-20}}</ref> |
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According to an investigation by [[Rumor Scanner Bangladesh|Rumor Scanner]], an independent fact-checking organisation, at least 49 Indian media outlets are involved in producing false reports against Bangladesh since 12 August 2024.<ref name="TBT">{{cite news |title=49 Indian media outlets spread at least 13 fake reports about Bangladesh since 12 Aug: Rumor Scanner |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/49-indian-media-outlets-spread-least-13-fake-reports-about-bangladesh-12-aug-rumor |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |date=6 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> This includes ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', ''[[Zee News]]'', ''[[Live Mint]]'', ''[[Republic TV|Republic]]'', ''[[India Today]]'', ''[[ABP Ananda]]'', ''[[Aaj Tak]]'', ''[[Asian News International|ANI]]'', ''[[NDTV]]'', ''[[WION]]'' etc., while ''Republic Bangla'' leads the list publishing the highest number of fake news reports.<ref name="TBT" /> |
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== See also == |
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⚫ | [[BBC News]] |
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*[[WhatsApp University]] |
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*[[Bangladesh–India relations]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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[[Category:Fake news in India]] |
[[Category:Fake news in India]] |
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[[Category:Anti-intellectualism]] |
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[[Category:Barriers to critical thinking]] |
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[[Category:Mass media-related controversies in India]] |
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[[Category:Communication of falsehoods]] |
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[[Category:Confidence tricks]] |
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[[Category:Conspiracist media]] |
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[[Category:Criticism of journalism]] |
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[[Category:Internet hoaxes]] |
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[[Category:Internet manipulation and propaganda]] |
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[[Category:Journalistic hoaxes]] |
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[[Category:Media bias controversies]] |
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[[Category:News media manipulation]] |
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[[Category:Propaganda techniques]] |
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[[Category:Lying]] |
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[[Category:Propaganda in India]] |
[[Category:Propaganda in India]] |
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[[Category:Aftermath of the Student–People's uprising]] |
Latest revision as of 04:34, 9 January 2025
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Following the Student–People's uprising which ousted Bangladesh's longtime authoritarian Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a strong ally of India, Indian media began disseminating disinformation against Bangladesh with an intent to destabilise the country.[1][2][3][4] The themes include misleading or exaggerated reports on the post-resignation violence against Bangladesh's Hindu community, discrediting the backgrounds or activities of the cabinet members of interim government of Bangladesh.[5][6][2] Sensationalist media outlets, attempted to portray the uprising as an Islamist-backed military takeover of the country purportedly orchestrated by India's rivals, Pakistan (through its intelligence agency) & China.[7][8]
Background
[edit]In the aftermath of the full-fledged mass uprising on 5 August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and exile to India, while an interim government led by the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed office. Hasina had long been a strong ally of India and was alleged many times for working for Indian interests in Bangladesh, often at the cost of Bangladesh's sovereignty. Soon after Hasina's departure, diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India began to deteriorate.[9][10][11]
Disinformation
[edit]Violence against Hindus
[edit]Following the departure of Sheikh Hasina, Indian media outlets, quoting BJP leader and leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, falsely claimed that over 10 million Bangladeshi Hindus are fleeing to India for refuge, claiming that Bangladesh is turning into an "Islamic State".[3]
A false report also claimed that the house of Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das was set on fire, which was later debunked.[12][13] Das himself refuted the claim in a Facebook post.[14] Several television news outlets also ran headlines falsely claiming that the violence constituted an "act of genocide" and a "pogrom", while an alleged arson attack on a Hindu temple was later found to have occurred at an adjacent Awami League office.[15]
Numerous India-based social media accounts circulated several misleading videos and images about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, using hashtags such as AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus and SaveBangladeshiHindus, which were subsequently debunked by several fact-checking organisations.[4]
Scripted interviews
[edit]Indian media reporters were seen confiscating the passports of Bangladeshi Hindus travelling to India and forcing them to give false interviews on the "alleged Hindu persecution in Bangladesh".[16][17][18] The situation came into notice when Shuvo Karmakar from Faridpur District gave a false interview to ABP Ananda about attacks on Hindus living in his hometown. As journalists visited the place to fact-check, the residents described the allegations to be false while his parents said that Karmakar's passport was confiscated by Indian reporters as soon as he entered India through the Petrapole border. Karmakar was then forced to give a scripted interview with false accounts of attacks on Hindus.[19]
Reports on interim government
[edit]On 11 September 2024, Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, an editor of the Indian newspaper The Economic Times, published a false report stating that Mahfuz Alam, an adviser to the Yunus government, is a former member of the outlawed Islamist organisation, Hizb ut-Tahrir.[20] Alam later addressed the issue on his verified Facebook page, stating that he has never been affiliated with the organisation and has consistently opposed its ideology. He also characterised the report as a "smear campaign" by the Indian media.[21]
Republic Bangla produced a fake news on 6 November 2024, where the news anchor was seen claiming that the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has fled to France following Donald Trump's reelection as the president of the United States in 2024. The anchor was then joined by the channel's senior editor Anirban Sinha, who corroborated the false claim, stating that Yunus had left the country and now staying in Paris.[22][23]
In December 2024, Aaj Tak falsely claimed that Pakistani Armed Forces were patrolling the streets in Bangladesh. Showing a video, the outlet claimed that SWAT members from Punjab, Pakistan had landed in Dhaka. Debunking the claims, fact-checking revealed that the forces shown in the video were not Pakistanis but members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT) of Bangladesh Police.[24]
Murder of Saiful Islam Alif
[edit]In November 2024, following the murder of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer, in Chittagong, several Indian media outlets, including FirstPost, The Economic Times, Republic World and OpIndia, published fabricated reports claiming that Alif was the lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu leader who was arrested on sedition charges.[25] Indian media outlets also falsely claimed that Alif was shot dead by the police.[26] However, reports indicated that Alif was in fact killed by the followers of Das.[27]
Analysis
[edit]Analyst Farid Erkizia Bakht suggested that India's intent to destabilise Bangladesh through these disinformation campaigns stems from the disappointment of losing a valuable ally like Sheikh Hasina and from apprehensions about the new government in the country harbouring anti-Indian sentiments. According to Bangladeshi political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman, Indian media viewed the mass uprising against the Hasina-government in Bangladesh through "their Islamophobic eye", despite the view in Bangladesh that it was a popular movement.[3] Jon Danilowicz, a retired American diplomat, described the situation as India "stubbornly doubling down on its failed Bangladesh policy", adding that charges like the Yunus-led government being "an Islamist regime" or the "genocide against the Hindu minority" in Bangladesh to be "ridiculously untrue".[28]
BBC News, Deutsche Welle, France 24 and some fаct-checking websites highlighted several rumours circulated on X and other social medias.[29][30][31] BBC Verify has highlighted some false information circulating on social media that has been exaggerated or is unrelated to the actual incident.[32][33][29][34][35]
According to an investigation by Rumor Scanner, an independent fact-checking organisation, at least 49 Indian media outlets are involved in producing false reports against Bangladesh since 12 August 2024.[36] This includes Hindustan Times, Zee News, Live Mint, Republic, India Today, ABP Ananda, Aaj Tak, ANI, NDTV, WION etc., while Republic Bangla leads the list publishing the highest number of fake news reports.[36]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Disinformation wars: A symptom of strained India-Bangladesh diplomacy?". The Business Standard. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Disinformation About Attacks on Minorities Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Bangladesh". The Diplomat. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Mahmud, Faisal; Sarker, Saqib. "'Islamophobic, alarmist': How some India outlets covered Bangladesh crisis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ a b বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা নিয়ে ভারতে অপতথ্যের প্রচার. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 11 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh's New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation". The Diplomat. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Misinformation over Hindus being targeted in Bangladesh fuels Islamophobia fears". South China Morning Post. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ Mojumdar, Aunohita (24 August 2024). "How India's majoritarian politics drive its lazy and dismissive commentary on Bangladesh". Scroll.in. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Bajpai, Shailaja (8 August 2024). "Indian TV news blame US, China, Pakistan for Bangladesh, call it 'Islamist takeover'". ThePrint. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Bangladeshis launch 'India Out' campaign over alleged meddling linked to Hasina". South China Morning Post. 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ "What does Sheikh Hasina's resignation mean for India-Bangladesh relations?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (2 September 2024). "'A myopic policy': India's backing of ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina leaves it in a bind". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Did protesters set Hindu Bangladesh cricketer Liton Das' house on fire?". Deccan Chronicle. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh". Times of Oman. 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Litton denies rumors of attack on his home". Dhaka Tribune. 9 August 2024.
- ^ "The violence in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster stirs fear within the country's Hindu minority". Associated Press. 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Passport power play: Scripted interview on 'persecution'". Jago News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "বাংলাদেশ সীমান্ত পার হয়ে কলকাতা ঢুকতেই কেড়ে নেয়া হচ্ছে পাসপোর্ট". Bangla Vision (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "বাংলাদেশি হিন্দুদের পাসপোর্ট কেড়ে ভারতে নেওয়া হচ্ছে সাজানো সাক্ষাৎকার". Desh TV (in Bengali). 10 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "ভারতীয় মিডিয়ার বিরুদ্ধে গুরুতর অভিযোগ". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 11 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy (11 September 2024). "Outlawed radical outfit Hizb ut Tahrir pressurises Bangladesh interim government to lift ban". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Mahfuz forced to issue clarifications on his belief system, ideology, role in movement". Dhaka Tribune. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ প্রধান উপদেষ্টাকে নিয়ে গুজব ছড়াচ্ছে রিপাবলিক বাংলা. Kaler Kantho. November 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ দেশেই আছেন প্রধান উপদেষ্টা, মার্কিন নির্বাচন ঘিরে তাঁকে নিয়ে ভারতের আর বাংলার গুজব. Amader Shomoy. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Rumor Scanner debunks Indian media report on Pakistani force in Bangladesh". The Financial Express. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Fact Check: Lawyer Killed In Bangladesh Was Not Defending Arrested Former ISKCON Priest". NDTV. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ নিহত সাইফুলকে চিন্ময় দাসের আইনজীবী দাবি করে ভারতীয় সংবাদমাধ্যমে মিথ্যাচার. Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 27 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ ইসকন সমর্থকদের হাতে খুন আলিফ চিরনিদ্রায় শায়িত. Jugantor. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Tensions peak as Bangladesh blames India for 'spreading misinformation'". Voice of America. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Far-right spreads false claims about Muslim attacks in Bangladesh". BBC News. 18 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Ghaedi, Monir (7 August 2024). "Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Attacks and online misinformation frighten Bangladeshi Hindus". France 24. 11 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Attacks on minorities: BBC, dismislab debunk fake news". The Daily Star. 12 August 2024. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "BBC Verify uncovers misinformation about Hindu persecution in Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Old video of student rally falsely shared as Hindus protesting in Bangladesh after PM ouster". AFP. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Kaniz Famita (2024-12-20). "Bangladesh reels from ripple effects of misinformation out of India". Scoll. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "49 Indian media outlets spread at least 13 fake reports about Bangladesh since 12 Aug: Rumor Scanner". The Business Standard. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.