[🇧🇩] Disinformation/Misinformation about Bangladesh in National/International Media

[Bilal9]

What these advisers and spokespeople leave out (because of diplomatic norms) is the fact that the Indian govt. whether by coercion or by threat of some means, has caused Indian media to tow the BJP govts. line so that they report negatively on India's supposed enemies (in this case Bangladesh). In the case of sensationalist media like Republic TV, media reporting in India has found new lows of lies and muckraking.

In fact - many of their more independent minded journalists like Paranjoy Guha Thakurta (Paranjoy Guha Thakurta - Wikipedia) were targeted (just like by Hasina's govt. against Bangladeshi opposition and independent journalists) using industrial and military grade spyware like Peg4sus (purchased from Isra hell). Modi's govt. is totally strangling their Indian media and their intelligentsia, probably the most educated and talented people in India.

It's a long read - but is quite fascinating, I assure you.

Revealed: How The Wire and Its Partners Cracked the Pegasus Project and What It Means for India

Last month, a top secret investigation by 80 journalists from 16 international news organisations, the French media non-profit Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International broke the story of the year on the use of spyware. Here's how it happened.

cms.thewire.in

 

[Bilal9]

"In times past people in the subcontinent went to temples to find God (Ishwar), now Indians looking under the mosque!" Indian journalist makes comments while discussing India media activity about Bangladesh...sorry Bengali only.

 

[Saif]

HC moved seeking ban on Indian TV channels

In 2017, the HC had rejected another writ petition filed by Laily seeking broadcasting ban on three Indian channels in Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

HC moved seeking ban on Indian TV channels

File photo

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its order on the government to ban the airing of all Indian television channels in Bangladesh.

Advocate Syeda Shahin Ara Laily submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC through her lawyer Md Aklas Uddin Bhuiyan saying that the Indian TV channels are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh leaving an adverse impact on the friendly relationship between the two countries and a threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh.

Advocate Aklas Uddin Bhuiyan told The Daily Star that the government has the authority to stop any TV channel's broadcasting in Bangladesh if it thinks so.

The lawyer said the HC may hold a hearing of the writ petition next week.

Earlier on January 29, 2017, the HC had rejected a writ petition filed by Syeda Shahin Ara Laily seeking its directive on the government to stop running telecast of three Indian channels -- Star Jalsha, Star Plus and Zee Bangla in Bangladesh.

The Appellate Division of the SC also upheld the HC verdict.​

 

[Saif]

Anti-Bangladesh politics will not serve India's interests: Nahid

Calls on 'Indian elites' to cease false propaganda against Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

Anti-Bangladesh politics will not serve India's interests: Nahid
Calls on 'Indian elites' to cease false propaganda against Bangladesh

India's ruling elites risk harming the country's internal politics by politicising Bangladesh's internal affairs, Information Adviser Nahid Islam has said.

In a post on X, the adviser said, anti-Bangladesh and anti-Muslim politics will not serve India's national interest.

By using the "minority persecution" narrative, he said, Delhi is attempting to rehabilitate the fascist Awami League, a party that persecuted minorities and committed genocide in Bangladesh. The narrative is also disrupting Bangladesh's democratic and nation-building process.

He said Dhaka has urged India several times not to view Bangladesh through the Awami League's lens and establish a new relationship based on equity, fairness, and mutual respect.

The adviser noted that India's support for Sheikh Hasina, a fugitive accused of genocide and child killings, risks undermining shared democratic values between the countries.

"Therefore, we call on India to cease false propaganda against Bangladesh and uphold harmony and respect for democracy," he said, accusing India's ruling elite of engaging in divisive politics and anti-Bangladesh rhetoric.

He said during the July uprising, students from Kolkata and Delhi stood in solidarity with Bangladeshi people and protested against Sheikh Hasina's atrocities. These democracy-loving people of India are our friends, he added.

Bangladesh shares historical and cultural ties with West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam; they are our stakeholders, he said.

"However, India's ruling elite and Hindutva forces do not want such democratic relations and harmony. They perceive Bangladesh's uprising and the political awakening of its students as a threat. As a result, they are fostering hatred against Bangladesh."

Criticising India's record on minority rights, Nahid said the Bangladesh government is committed to ensuring full citizenship rights, dignity, and security for all minority communities, including Hindus.

He said minorities during the AL rule faced the highest level of persecution, yet received Delhi's unconditional support.

India must not forget that its stability and integrity are closely interlinked with the stability and integrity of Bangladesh, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Video claiming 'attack on Hindu temple in Bangladesh' is actually from India

Dismislab debunks disinformation on Indian media

www.thedailystar.net

Video claiming 'attack on Hindu temple in Bangladesh' is actually from India
Dismislab debunks disinformation on Indian media

Photo: Dismislab

Dismislab yesterday found that a video being circulated on a verified X (formerly Twitter) account showed RT India, claiming an attack on Hindu temples in Bangladesh, is not authentic.

Upon verification, the Bangladeshi online verification and media research platform found that the video actually shows scenes from a religious festival in the Sultanpur area of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India.

The video, captioned "Attack on Hindu temples in Bangladesh – the footage claims that miscreants are smashing and destroying idols," shows an attempt to decapitate an idol. This video has been reposted numerous times.

Dismislab found that the video was originally posted on Facebook on November 29, with a caption that includes the hashtag #SultanpurKaliMataNiranjan in Bangla. Based on this caption, Dismislab found that the video actually shows a scene of idol immersion from Sultanpur in Khondkosh, Burdwan district, West Bengal, India. This is part of a unique festival in Sultanpur where every 12 years, an idol of the goddess Kali is immersed. The 12-foot idol is gradually broken down and floated in a pond.

Dismislab said that additional footage of the ritual could be found on a page called Sultanpur Kiranmoyee Pathagar. The video of the idol in that post matches the video posted by RT India.

Photo: Dismislab

The fact-checking platform also debunked another video that was posted from an X account named "Baba Benaras". The caption underneath the video, posted on December 2, read, "See how Hindu temples were vandalized and Hindu devotees were beaten up in different cities of Bangladesh yesterday. But the whole world is silent on the massacre of Hindus in Bangladesh."

The video showed people vandalising a structure.

Dismislab found that this incident did not take place on December 1. The incident was from August 29 at the shrine of Ali Pagla, located near Bamanjani Bazaar in Mansurnagar Union, Kazipur Upazila, Sirajganj.

A video report on this attack was published by a YouTube channel named The Metro TV on the same day of the incident. The video was titled "Ali Pagla's shrine in Kazipur, Sirajganj being destroyed" in Bangla.

The video from the Baba Benaras account matched the video from The Metro TV.​

 

[Saif]

India provoking a quarrel through propaganda: Adviser Sakhawat

Indian media are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh over communal issues, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain

www.thedailystar.net

India provoking a quarrel through propaganda: Adviser Sakhawat

Sakhawat Hussain. Photo: Star

Indian media are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh over communal issues, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain.

By doing this, India is provoking a quarrel, he said while delivering speech at a programme in Chandpur today.

"People of the Hindu community in our country are living peacefully. However, neighbouring India is spreading various forms of propaganda about us in their media, which we never wished for," he said.

"We can see they [India] are provoking to quarrel. There is no reason for doing this. We request them not to do this," he said.

"We want to live peacefully with our neighbouring country. We do not want any unrest in our country," the adviser added while inspecting the modernisation work of the Chandpur River Terminal.

Meanwhile, at a separate programme in Narayanganj, Sakhawat said India will be the loser, if bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India deteriorates.

"If unrest is created in Bangladesh, will India be able to stay comfortably?" he said.

Replying to a question, the adviser said conspiracy is going on to create unrest in the garment sector.

He was talking to journalists while visiting a project of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Narayanganj on Tuesday.

[Our correspondents from Narayanganj and Chandpur contributed to the report]​

 

[Saif]

We must respond firmly to the anti-Bangladesh campaign in India

National unity needed to expose falsehoods

www.thedailystar.net

We must respond firmly to the anti-Bangladesh campaign in India
National unity needed to expose falsehoods

VISUAL: STAR

The recent attacks and disruptions targeting Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in India have provoked justifiable anger from government officials, politicians, student leaders, and the public alike. Emotions are running high—as evidenced by the barrage of street protests in Dhaka and elsewhere—but so is the case in India. It is precisely during times like this that cooler heads need to prevail. We agree with the Indian high commissioner that Indo-Bangla ties cannot be reduced to a single issue. But this is a mess of India's own making, and to extricate itself from it and stabilise bilateral relations, it must help prevent the disinformation campaign over "minority persecution" that is fuelling unrest. And it must stop demonising Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, too, needs to frame its own response properly, and fast, given the continued fallout of the arrest of Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, with reports emerging of anti-Bangladesh posturing in different parts of India as well as hostile mobilisations along the border. It must be acknowledged that people in Bangladesh have shown commendable restraint so far, despite provocations. But much more needs to be done. The first priority is to reaffirm our commitment to national unity and continue showing restraint. Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus's initiation of dialogue with the leaders of student, political and religious bodies shows a constructive approach to this crisis, which will hopefully further consolidate our response.

Unity is also needed to highlight our pluralistic character in the face of the disinformation campaign run by sections of Indian media, which Hindutva groups and parties have been exploiting to rally domestic support and destabilise Bangladesh since the ouster of India's favoured leader, Sheikh Hasina. In this regard, the role of our religious leaders, particularly those from Hindu community, is particularly important as they can promote a collective vision of coexistence by debunking the false narrative of persecution and showcasing their commitment to national sovereignty. The authorities, at the same time, must take stricter measures to address any rights concerns of minority communities. Official investigations into past violence against minorities must also be more visible and result-oriented.

But perhaps the most important thing to do now is streamline efforts to counter the systemic propaganda on India's side, through a public relations cell if needed. In recent days, we have seen reports on circulation of posts, pictures, and videos that have later been proven to be false. In fact, such attempts have been ongoing since August 5 to exaggerate isolated incidents of minority attacks in order to bolster the narrative of persecution. Unfortunately, the Indian media continues to be a reference point for the Western media and India-linked politicians. This calls for a better response from Bangladesh so that our side of the story gets the coverage it deserves. To that end, more investigative and fact-checking initiatives will help.

The challenge we face is clearly multifaceted. But we must remain united and say no to any divisive tactics. The anti-Bangladesh and anti-Muslim politics in India will likely lose steam if we continue to be vigilant. The Indian authorities, for their part, must match their commitment to constructive bilateral relations with meaningful actions that de-escalate tensions, so that we can move forward together.​

 

[Saif]

India's policy on reliance on AL and politics of disinformation

In diplomatic relations, all sovereign nations maintain the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which is globally recognised and legally binding. The convention states in its verse No. 3 under the article no. 5 that a head of mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the...

en.prothomalo.com

India's policy on reliance on AL and politics of disinformation
Saimum Parvez
Published: 05 Dec 2024, 22: 01

Indian policymakers should keep in mind that only Awami League or Sheikh Hasina represents Bangladesh. Prothom Alo

In diplomatic relations, all sovereign nations maintain the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which is globally recognised and legally binding. The convention states in its verse No. 3 under the article no. 5 that a head of mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission may act as representative of the sending state to any international organisation.

Besides, its article no. 22 noted that the premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving state may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission .The mission premises, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution.

The recent attack and vandalism on the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala of India is a blatant violation of the above mentioned articles. The Vienna Convention has been violated through the failure of the Indian government to prevent the attack and ensure the security of the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission.

Moreover, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the union government to take steps for the deployment of the UN peacekeeping force in Bangladesh. Anti-Bangladesh protests took place at places in India, where the effigies of Bangladesh chief adviser Dr Muhamma Yunus were burnt. There were protests even near the border.

Against this backdrop, it is necessary to analyse the reasons behind the rise of anti-Bangladesh sentiment and the uncourteous behaviour by the Indian politicians.

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on 5 August, different Indian media outlets and social media accounts have been disseminating exaggerated or false narratives about events in Bangladesh.

Republic Bangla, a news channel, outperformed all others in terms of spreading propaganda. On 12 November, its host Mayukh Ranjan Ghosh raised a demand for annexing the Chattogram area to India. The channel also spread rumors that Indian satellite channels were banned in Bangladesh and that Pakistani warships had arrived at the Chattogram port.

In another instance of fictitious and fake news, a platform called Calcutta News spread rumour that Bangladesh is building an airbase near the Chicken Neck area in collaboration with China.

In addition to mainstream media, disinformation was spread on different social media platforms, particularly on X. According to fact-checking site dismislab, an X account named Baba Banaras spread a fake claim that 50 Hindus were killed and six Hindu women were kidnapped during army raids in Chattogram. Like Baba Banaras, there are numerous accounts on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram that are trying to spin false narratives by spreading disinformation.

The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and many other Indian news outlets and social media accounts spread disinformation by claiming Saiful Islam, a lawyer who was slain on 26 November, as the lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

Following the political changeover on 5 August, the incidents of attacks on Hindu homes as well as temples were sensationalised in different Indian media outlets and social media accounts, in an effort to gain political benefits. In some cases, old incidents were described as recent ones while using irrelevant footage and images.

Investigations by Deutsche Welle (7 August, 2024) and BBC Bangla (11 August, 2024) revealed that numerous false claims as well as disinformation were spread regarding attacks on temples and business outlets and incidents of torturing women, arson and murder.

These fake, exaggerated and disinformation are not only creating an environment of hatred but also undermining the credibility of real incidents. India tops among the countries with risks of fake and disinformation.

The disinformation over Bangladesh is apparently impacting the politicians, civil society and the people in India. The statement from the West Bengal chief minister and the attack on the assistant high commission is the consequences of the hatred. Reports with roots in disinformation are not only reaching the Indian politicians and the masses, but also misleading lawmakers in many other countries across the world.

The influence of Awami League and Sheikh Hasina in India’s policy on Bangladesh has emerged as a major setback to improve bilateral relationship. Unfortunately, it was seen that India not only sheltered Sheikh Hasina, but also clung to her narratives. Those who decide the foreign policy in India should understand that the people of Bangladesh overthrew the Sheikh Hasina regime through a spontaneous uprising.

The narratives of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League are now contradictory to the people’s aspirations. Therefore, India will never be able to develop a good relationship with Bangladesh on the basis of a foreign policy which is rooted in friendship with the Awami League. Rather than putting all eggs in a single basket, India should try to develop ties with the political parties and civil society of Bangladesh.

Those who formulate India's foreign policy must remember that an unstable and anti-India Bangladesh is not beneficial for India's own geopolitics.

The Awami League or Sheikh Hasina does not represent all of Bangladesh. Rather, Bangladesh is a vast, diverse, and pluralistic country, home to people with various political beliefs. Relying solely on one political party is not only dangerous but also an example of an illogical, passive, and ineffective foreign policy.

If incidents of violence or minority persecution occur within Bangladesh, India has the right to protest and condemn them according to international law. However, interference in Bangladesh's internal matters, attacks on embassies, or thoughtless comments like sending UN peacekeepers will only escalate the tensions between the two countries.

Indian politicians should also remember that minorities in their own country are not faring well. Incidents of persecution and violence against Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and Dalits, as well as attacks on mosques, temples, and churches, are increasing in India. Human rights violations against Muslims in Kashmir and Christians in Manipur have been highlighted by global media. If Bangladesh responds internationally to such incidents, as India has done, would this be desirable for India?

In India's political game for votes, Bangladesh should not be treated as a pawn. Rather, India should move away from its dependence on the Awami League and make its Bangladesh policy more Bangladesh-centric. The foundation of bilateral relations should be mutual trust, friendship, and equality.

* Dr Saimum Parvez is a teacher of political communications at Germany's DW Academy and Bonn Rhein-Sieg University

* This column appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Rabiul Islam and Misbahul Haque​