49 Indian Media Spread 13 False Reports on Bangladesh

The report, titled Spread of Fake News About Bangladesh in Indian Media, was published on the organization's website today. It revealed that a total of 49 Indian media outlets were involved in spreading false narratives about Bangladesh. Republic Bangla led the list, broadcasting five fabricated stories, while Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint each disseminated three rumors. Other outlets such as Republic, India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak aired two false reports each.

Among the most significant rumors identified were a fabricated open letter purportedly written by Sheikh Hasina after her resignation, false reports about Dr. Muhammad Yunus's health, and misleading claims about militant organizations in Bangladesh. Other notable false stories included claims of an attack on a bus, fabricated allegations about arms smuggling, and a misleading video falsely linking idol immersion in India to attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh.

Key Rumors Exposed by Rumor Scanner:

1. Fake Open Letter from Sheikh Hasina: After Sheikh Hasina's ouster on August 5, Indian media outlets widely circulated a claim that she had issued an open letter from Delhi, blaming the United States for her removal. However, an investigation by Rumor Scanner revealed that the letter was a fabricated document first shared on Facebook and later published by the Agartala-based Tripura Bhobishyot. The letter was never written by Hasina.

2. False Video of a Hindu Man Searching for His Missing Son:
Indian media outlets aired a video of a human chain organized by a man searching for his missing son, erroneously claiming the man was Hindu. Rumor Scanner found that the man was actually Babul Howlader, a Muslim, whose son has been missing since 2013. The human chain had nothing to do with religion but was a desperate plea for help.

3. Dr. Yunus's Alleged ICU Admission: Following the formation of an interim government on August 8, rumors spread claiming that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the interim government's chief adviser, had been hospitalized in the ICU. Rumor Scanner debunked this claim, revealing that the photo circulating with the story was unrelated and not of Yunus.

4. Banned Militant Groups' Alleged Re-instatement: Indian media outlets falsely claimed that Bangladesh had lifted bans on various militant groups following the political change. Rumor Scanner found no credible evidence to support these allegations, exposing them as baseless.

5. False Reports of Dr. Yunus Fleeing to France: Following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. Presidential Election, a rumor emerged that Dr. Yunus had fled to France. However, the Rumor Scanner investigation revealed that the photo used to support this claim was from August 8, when Dr. Yunus was returning to Bangladesh after a trip to France.

6. False Claims About Pakistani Arms Smuggling: After a container ship from Karachi docked at the Port of Chattogram, Indian media outlets linked the vessel to the 1971 Liberation War and claimed it was carrying weapons. Rumor Scanner confirmed that the ship, the MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, was a commercial vessel carrying industrial goods and raw materials, not weapons.

7. False Allegations Regarding Lawyer Saiful Islam's Murder: Following the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif during a clash outside a Chattogram court, Indian media outlets falsely reported that he was killed because he was Chinmoy Krishna's lawyer. In fact, Chinmoy’s lawyer was Subhashish Sharma, not Saiful Islam.

8. False Reports of Indian Channels Banned in Bangladesh: Several Indian outlets claimed that Bangladesh had banned Indian television channels. However, both the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh confirmed that Indian channels were still broadcasting in the country.

9. Misleading Claims About a Chinese-Backed Airbase in Bangladesh: Rumors also spread regarding the construction of Asia’s second-largest airbase near the Chicken Neck area, allegedly with China’s help. Rumor Scanner debunked this claim, revealing that there had been no such initiative, especially given the Lalmonirhat airport has been inactive for over six decades.

10. False Claim About an Attack on a Hindu Temple in Bangladesh: Indian media outlets aired a video of an idol immersion in East Burdwan, India, falsely claiming it was footage of a Hindu temple attack in Bangladesh. Rumor Scanner found no connection between the video and Bangladesh, confirming it was unrelated to any incidents there.

11. Fabricated Reports on Shyamoli Paribahan Bus Accident: Indian outlets spread rumors that an accident involving a Shyamoli Paribahan bus in Bangladesh had led to anti-India slogans and threats against Indian passengers. Rumor Scanner confirmed the incident was an accident caused by overtaking, and there were no threats or anti-India slogans involved.

12. False Allegations of Attack on Chinmoy Krishna’s Lawyer: Claims circulated that Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer, Ramen Roy, was attacked and hospitalized. However, Rumor Scanner found that Ramen Roy had not been involved in the case, and he had been injured during an unrelated incident at a Sanatan Hindu program in Shahbagh.

13. Misleading UK Travel Advisory: Indian media outlets falsely reported that the UK had issued a travel advisory due to potential terrorist threats in Bangladesh. Rumor Scanner clarified that the advisory was part of a broader global warning affecting several countries, including India, and was not specific to Bangladesh.

These 13 false reports have been extensively circulated in Indian media, contributing to the spread of misinformation about Bangladesh. Rumor Scanner urges media outlets to adhere to responsible journalism and avoid spreading unverified claims.