49 Indian media outlets spread 13 false stories about Bangladesh, report by Rumor Scanner

A recent investigation by Rumor Scanner Bangladesh has uncovered a worrying trend: 49 Indian media outlets spread 13 false reports about Bangladesh between August 12 and December 5, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government. 

The findings highlight how fake news has caused confusion and tension in both Bangladesh and India.

According to the report titled "Spread of Fake News about Bangladesh in Indian Media Outlets," Indian media outlets began circulating rumors following significant political changes in Bangladesh. 

The fake stories ranged from fabricated claims about government officials to misleading reports about violent incidents.

Which Media Outlets Were Involved?

The investigation found that several prominent Indian media outlets played a role in spreading these rumors. 

Republic Bangla was the worst offender, airing five false reports. Other outlets like Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint each shared three fake stories. 

India Today, Republic, Aaj Tak, and ABP Anand each published two false reports.

Some of the most damaging false reports included:

• A fake open letter said to be written by Sheikh Hasina after her resignation.
• A video of a Muslim man searching for his missing son, wrongly claimed to involve a Hindu person.
• A false report claiming Dr. Muhammad Yunus was in the ICU.
• Misleading stories about the lifting of bans on militant organizations in Bangladesh.
• A fabricated tale that Dr. Yunus fled to France after Donald Trump’s victory.
• A claim that arms were being smuggled into Bangladesh via a Pakistani ship.
• The mistaken identification of lawyer Saiful Islam as Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer, leading to false claims about his murder.
• Fake reports about Indian TV channels being banned in Bangladesh.
• A video of idol immersion in India falsely claimed to be in response to attacks on Hindu idols in Bangladesh.
• A completely made-up story about a Shyamoli Paribahan bus being attacked.
• Fake news about an assault on Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer.
• A misleading claim that the UK issued a travel advisory due to terrorist threats in Bangladesh.

Fake Open Letter from Sheikh Hasina

One of the most widely spread rumors was about an "open letter" allegedly written by Sheikh Hasina after her resignation on August 5, claiming that the United States was behind her removal. 

The letter quickly spread on social media before being published by the Agartala-based Tripura Bhobishyot newspaper. 

However, an investigation by Rumor Scanner found that Sheikh Hasina never wrote such a letter. The letter was a hoax, originally shared on Facebook and then falsely attributed to her.

Misleading Video About Missing Son

Another fake story involved a video of a man holding a human chain to find his missing son. 

The Indian media claimed the man was Hindu, but the truth was different. The man in the video was Muslim, named Babul Howlader, and his son had been missing since 2013. 

The human chain was organized as part of his effort to find his child, not as part of any religious movement.

Dr. Yunus Hospital Rumor Debunked

After the political changes in Bangladesh, rumors spread that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, appointed as the chief adviser of the interim government, had been admitted to the ICU. 

Indian media outlets published photos of a hospitalized patient, falsely claiming it was Dr. Yunus. 

However, the Rumor Scanner team found that the photo was not of Dr. Yunus and was not even taken recently. Dr. Yunus was in good health at the time.

Baseless Claim About Banned Militant Organizations

Indian media also reported that Bangladesh had lifted bans on several militant groups after the government change. 

However, Rumor Scanner found no evidence of this claim. It was another baseless rumor spread without any reliable information to support it.

Dr. Yunus Fleeing to France – Another Lie

After Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections, some Indian outlets reported that Dr. Yunus had fled to France. 

This story was entirely false, as the photo used to support the claim was taken in August, when Dr. Yunus was actually returning from France to Bangladesh.

The Pakistani Ship ‘Arms Smuggling’ Hoax

In November, Indian media outlets reported that a Pakistani ship had docked in Chattogram with weapons for Bangladesh. 

However, an investigation by Rumor Scanner showed that the ship in question, MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, was a commercial vessel carrying raw materials and consumer goods, not arms.

False Claims About Chinmoy Krishna and Lawyer‍‍`s Murder

On November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested, and tensions rose during his court appearance. 

Some Indian media outlets claimed that Saiful Islam, the lawyer involved in the case, was murdered because he was representing Chinmoy Krishna. 

However, the Rumor Scanner investigation clarified that Saiful Islam was not Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer. The lawyer representing him was Subhashish Sharma. 

Saiful Islam was tragically killed during clashes that broke out outside the court.

Indian Channels Not Banned in Bangladesh

There were also false claims that Bangladesh had banned Indian satellite TV channels. 

However, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh confirmed that no such ban had been implemented.

No New Airbase Plans in Bangladesh

Some Indian media outlets falsely reported that the Bangladesh Air Force, with help from China, was building a massive new airbase near the Chicken Neck region. 

This claim was quickly debunked by Rumor Scanner, which found no evidence of any such plans.

Video of Idol Immersion in India Misused

Another false story involved a video of idol immersion in India, which some outlets wrongly claimed showed Hindus responding to attacks on their temples in Bangladesh. 

The video was actually taken in India, and there was no link to Bangladesh or any attacks on temples there.

Fake News About Shyamoli Paribahan Bus Incident

Some outlets falsely reported a bus accident involving a Shyamoli Paribahan bus on the Dhaka-Agartala route, claiming that local residents threatened Indian passengers and chanted anti-India slogans.

Rumor Scanner found that the accident was simply caused by overtaking, and no threats or anti-India slogans were involved.

Chinmoy Krishna’s Lawyer Not Attacked

Further rumors spread about the attack on Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer, claiming that Ramen Roy had been assaulted and hospitalized. 

Rumor Scanner found that Ramen Roy was not Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyer and was injured in a completely separate incident during a Sanatan Hindu event in Shahbagh on November 25.

False UK Travel Advisory Report

Finally, some Indian outlets reported that the UK had issued a travel advisory warning of terrorist threats in Bangladesh. 

However, Rumor Scanner clarified that the advisory was part of a broader alert that also included countries like India, Indonesia, and several European nations, and was not specific to Bangladesh.

This investigation highlights the dangers of fake news and the speed with which rumors can spread. 

While some Indian media outlets have played a significant role in sharing misinformation about Bangladesh, it is important to rely on fact-checking sources like Rumor Scanner to ensure that only accurate information is shared.