BBC Verify finds spree of misinformation about Hindus in Bangladesh

Amidst the violence that followed Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime mof Bangladesh, a number of fake posts were circulated on Indian media and on social media claiming that mass persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh had begun. 

The BBC's fact-checking department, BBC Verify, has examined a number of posts circulating on social media, which have shown that there have been attacks on minorities in Bangladesh since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, as well as rumors of attacks. 

Among these, two organisations in Bangladesh called Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad and Bangladesh Puja Udjad Parishad claimed on Saturday that 205 attacks on minority people have occurred in 52 districts of the country since the fall of Sheikh Hasina. 

However, in all these cases, it was not possible to verify impartially whether the attack was due to religious identity, or the attack was a part of anger against those close to the government. 

Meanwhile, the Indian government has set up a special committee to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and Indians living there. And after the allegations of attacks on the minorities of Bangladesh, the government of the country wants to start a hotline for the safety of the religious minorities of the country from Sunday.

 As rumours spread through social media Fact-checkers have confirmed that most of the fake posts circulating on social media alleging 'massive persecution' of Hindus in Bangladesh were posted by various Indian accounts. But such rumours were also spread from inside Bangladesh through social media, say fact-checkers. 

They are also saying that definitely there have been some attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, houses have been set on fire. But while verifying the information, it was found that the houses of Muslims were also vandalised and set on fire. 

In this case, the targets of the attackers were the houses and properties of Awami League leaders and workers. Religious identity was mostly secondary, they were attacked for their political identity. 

Bangladesh 'Hindu cricketer' Liton Das's house is rumored to have been set on fire Local Awami League leaders and workers who fled Bangladesh and have come to India or are trying to come to India have also confirmed that the houses of Awami League leaders and workers of both Hindu and Muslim communities have been attacked. 

But several fact checkers feel that social media from India has given the issue a communal colour instead of keeping it political. The BBC's fact-checking arm, 'BBC Verify', came to the same conclusion.

Source: BBC Bangla