In recent weeks, a wave of alarming videos has circulated online, depicting scenes of buildings burning, violent clashes, and women pleading for help.
These videos have been shared with claims of a "Hindu genocide" occurring in Bangladesh following the sudden fall of Sheikh Hasina, the country's long-time leader.
The narrative has been further amplified by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, a British far-right activist known for making inflammatory posts during times of unrest. However, many of these videos and the accompanying claims have been found to be false.
False claims of Hindu temple attacks
Bangladesh has been in turmoil for weeks following student-led protests that resulted in the deaths of over 400 people and the eventual collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government. The chaos that ensued saw rioters targeting members of the ruling Awami League party, which includes both Hindu and Muslim members. While there have been reports of violence and looting affecting Hindu communities, far-right influencers in neighbouring India have shared misleading videos and information, falsely portraying these incidents as attacks by "Islamist radicals" targeting Hindus.
One widely shared post claimed that a Hindu temple in Bangladesh had been set on fire by Islamist extremists. However, BBC Verify debunked this claim, identifying the building in question as the Nabagraha Temple in Chattogram, which was not attacked. The actual fire occurred at a nearby Awami League office, with images showing debris of party posters rather than religious icons.
Swapan Das, a staff member at the temple, confirmed that while there was an attack on the Awami League office behind the temple on August 5, the temple itself remained untouched. Despite this, the situation remains tense, and the temple has been closed with round-the-clock security.
This is just one of many false stories shared under a hashtag that has garnered nearly a million mentions since August 4, according to social media monitoring tools. The trend has been driven largely by accounts geolocated in India, many of which support Hindu-nationalist ideologies.
Other debunked posts include claims of a Bangladeshi Hindu cricketer's home being burned down, which was actually the home of a Muslim MP from the Awami League, and a school burning, which, upon investigation, appeared to be politically rather than religiously motivated.
The role of disinformation
Inter-religious tensions have been a longstanding issue in Bangladesh, says Professor Sayeed Al-Zaman, an expert in hate speech and disinformation in the country. The sudden departure of Sheikh Hasina has exacerbated these tensions, particularly as the Hindu minority feels increasingly vulnerable in the absence of strong government control. The spread of false narratives has only worsened the situation, with influencers stoking fears and inflaming tensions between communities.
Global spread of misinformation
The misinformation has not been confined to Bangladesh or India. Far-right figures like Tommy Robinson have shared unverified videos from Bangladesh, falsely claiming that Hindus are being targeted by Muslims in a "genocide." One such video shared by Robinson shows a woman pleading for her husband’s life as their home is attacked. The post falsely claims that the property is being targeted by Islamists. However, BBC investigations revealed that the incident was actually a local dispute over land ownership, with no religious motivations involved. The perpetrators were a mix of Hindu and Muslim individuals, and other Hindu families and temples in the area were not affected.
Despite multiple attempts, Robinson did not respond to requests for comment on the false information he has been spreading. The complexity of the situation in Bangladesh, where political and religious tensions are deeply intertwined, makes it difficult to assess the true motivations behind the violence. However, it is clear that many of the incidents have been politically driven rather than religiously motivated.
Protecting communities amidst false claims
Amidst the spread of false claims about attacks on Hindus, some Muslim protesters have taken it upon themselves to protect Hindu temples. Moinul, a member of the Hathazari Madrasa mosque, has been standing guard outside the Hindu Shri Shri Sita Kali Temple, along with other protesters.
"It’s our responsibility to protect them," said Moinul, emphasising that they would not fall for attempts to incite conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Choton Banik, a local Hindu who attends the temple, expressed gratitude for their efforts, hoping that the communities can continue to live together peacefully in an independent Bangladesh.
This cooperative spirit stands in stark contrast to the divisive narratives being spread online, underscoring the importance of unity and truth in the face of misinformation.
Source: BBC