Govt Denies Rumour of Change to National Flag

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has dismissed as entirely false the rumour that Bangladesh’s interim government is planning to change the national flag.

“A fabricated claim has been widely circulating on websites and social media platforms, falsely suggesting that the government is considering adding an Islamic crescent and star to the flag,” the press wing said in a statement.

It clarified that a digitally altered image of a redesigned flag — resembling elements from the flags of Pakistan and Turkey — has gone viral, garnering nearly a million views, particularly from audiences in Pakistan, Turkey, and the Middle East.

“These claims are completely baseless. As of June 14, 2025, there has been no official discussion or credible report regarding any modification to the national flag,” the statement added.

The rumour gained traction after a false article titled ‘Bangladesh Considers Adding Islamic Crescent to Its Flag’ began circulating online. The article, authored under a fictitious AI-generated name, lacked citations or sources. It was reportedly shared by Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The post originated from a pro-Pakistan social media account, which initially shared a mock version of a "new" Bangladeshi flag. This image was later reused in the viral article.

The press wing warned that this misinformation campaign appears aimed at exploiting religious sentiment and provoking unrest.

“This is not the first instance of such false narratives. Similar misinformation followed mass protests in July, where fake posts claimed student leaders had proposed a new flag,” the statement noted.

Urging the public to remain vigilant, the press wing emphasized, “There is no movement or discussion to change the national flag. These rumors serve only to mislead and divide.”

It called on citizens to verify information and resist sharing unverified claims.