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‘India Out’ campaigns simmer in Bangladesh amid election fallout
Calls to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh follow allegations of Indian interference in national elections.
www.aljazeera.com
‘India Out’ campaigns simmer in Bangladesh amid election fallout
Calls to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh follow allegations of Indian interference in national elections.
‘India Out’ campaigns simmer in Bangladesh amid election fallout
Calls to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh follow allegations of Indian interference in national elections.
Grocery stores have been unable to sell Indian-made chips [Al Jazeera]
By Faisal Mahmud
Published On 7 Feb 20247 Feb 2024
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Amid allegations of Indian interference in national elections, there’s a call to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh.
Last week, a supplier for the Indian consumer goods giant Marico faced a chilly reception in Dhaka’s Panthapath area. Grocery shops, usually eager to stock their shelves with its hair oil, cooking oil, body lotion and other products, refused to take new deliveries.
“Sales of Parachute oil, a Marico bestseller, have plummeted to almost zero in recent weeks,” local shopkeeper Aman Ullah said. “Indian products just aren’t moving. We’re stuck with unsold stock and won’t be restocking.”
Another shop owner who requested anonymity revealed a deeper reason: “I don’t want to sell Indian products any more.” He cited YouTube videos advocating a boycott of Indian goods, which he wholeheartedly supported.
Simmering anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has boiled over in the past decade, culminating in public displays such as celebrations in Dhaka last year after India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup final.
But after last month’s elections in Bangladesh, in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term while the opposition boycotted the polls, a massive “India Out” campaign was launched, alleging Indian interference in Bangladesh politics.
The Bangladeshi diaspora and opposition groups have fuelled this anti-India movement and advocated boycotts of Indian products. This movement mirrors similar campaigns in the Maldives, where Mohamed Muizzu capitalized on anti-India sentiment to win the presidential election.
In Dhaka, the campaign was launched against the backdrop of India’s traditionally strong ties with Hasina’s government and its strained relationship with the opposition, leading many to believe India favoured the status quo.
Exiled Bangladeshi physician Pinaki Bhattacharya, who fled alleged government harassment in 2018, has emerged as the key figure in this burgeoning social media movement accusing India of interfering in Bangladesh’s recent elections to keep Hasina in power.
Through his more than two million followers across social media platforms, Bhattacharya launched the #BoycottIndia campaign in mid-January, urging them to join “this monumental endeavour”. His call, emphasizing love of homeland and determination to break free from perceived shackles, resonated with thousands.
The anti-India movement has surged online, fuelled by user-generated content. Photos of crossed-out Indian products like Amul butter and Dabur honey are circulating alongside barcode identification tips to boycott these goods. A single post highlighting the 890 prefix used in barcodes for Indian products garnered more than 1,000 shares, showcasing the movement’s online reach.
Grocery stores have been unable to sell Indian-made chips [Al Jazeera]
By Faisal Mahmud
Published On 7 Feb 20247 Feb 2024
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Amid allegations of Indian interference in national elections, there’s a call to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh.
Last week, a supplier for the Indian consumer goods giant Marico faced a chilly reception in Dhaka’s Panthapath area. Grocery shops, usually eager to stock their shelves with its hair oil, cooking oil, body lotion and other products, refused to take new deliveries.
“Sales of Parachute oil, a Marico bestseller, have plummeted to almost zero in recent weeks,” local shopkeeper Aman Ullah said. “Indian products just aren’t moving. We’re stuck with unsold stock and won’t be restocking.”
Another shop owner who requested anonymity revealed a deeper reason: “I don’t want to sell Indian products any more.” He cited YouTube videos advocating a boycott of Indian goods, which he wholeheartedly supported.
Simmering anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has boiled over in the past decade, culminating in public displays such as celebrations in Dhaka last year after India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup final.
But after last month’s elections in Bangladesh, in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term while the opposition boycotted the polls, a massive “India Out” campaign was launched, alleging Indian interference in Bangladesh politics.
The Bangladeshi diaspora and opposition groups have fuelled this anti-India movement and advocated boycotts of Indian products. This movement mirrors similar campaigns in the Maldives, where Mohamed Muizzu capitalized on anti-India sentiment to win the presidential election.
In Dhaka, the campaign was launched against the backdrop of India’s traditionally strong ties with Hasina’s government and its strained relationship with the opposition, leading many to believe India favoured the status quo.
Exiled Bangladeshi physician Pinaki Bhattacharya, who fled alleged government harassment in 2018, has emerged as the key figure in this burgeoning social media movement accusing India of interfering in Bangladesh’s recent elections to keep Hasina in power.
Through his more than two million followers across social media platforms, Bhattacharya launched the #BoycottIndia campaign in mid-January, urging them to join “this monumental endeavour”. His call, emphasizing love of homeland and determination to break free from perceived shackles, resonated with thousands.
The anti-India movement has surged online, fuelled by user-generated content. Photos of crossed-out Indian products like Amul butter and Dabur honey are circulating alongside barcode identification tips to boycott these goods. A single post highlighting the 890 prefix used in barcodes for Indian products garnered more than 1,000 shares, showcasing the movement’s online reach.
Why did the campaign gain traction?
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka declined Al Jazeera’s request for a comment on this anti-India campaign.
At a Mumbai forum on January 30 with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, attendees raised concerns about India’s foreign policy amid perceived shifts in regional dynamics, particularly the growing pull of major rival China on neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and the Maldives.
Jaishankar downplayed concerns about foreign policy shortcomings but conceded the competitive reality. He pointed out that China’s geographical proximity naturally grants it influence over neighbouring countries like the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Screengrab from Facebook of online movements advocating boycott of Indian products
State Minister of Information and Broadcasting and lawmaker from the ruling Awami League Mohammad A Arafat, too, dismissed the concerns saying Bangladesh had received global attention because of the unprecedented fact of a fourth term for the ruling government.
“If I have to talk about other country’s interest in our local politics, then the first name I would mention is the United States which even declared a Visa restriction policy based on Bangladesh election. On the other hand, India, from the very onset officially stated that Bangladesh’s election is its internal matter and it has no say in it,” Arafat said.
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League told Al Jazeera that the “India out” campaign is run by opposition parties who instead of taking part in the election blaming “India for their misfortune.”
“They [the opposition parties] have this trump card of bashing India if anything goes against them,” said Quader, “I don’t think common people of Bangladesh support this campaign. They know that Awami League will never work against the interest of people.”
The burgeoning anti-India campaign, meanwhile, is finding traction within Bangladesh’s domestic political landscape, raising concerns about potentially destabilising Bangladesh’s economy and impacting regional relations.
Gono Odhikar Parishad, a rising political force aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led opposition, is promoting the boycott movement. Party leader Nurul Haque Nur declared at a recent rally in Dhaka that “We all have to start an ‘India Out’ campaign'” while alleging Indian interference in the recent elections.
Rumeen Farhana, international affairs secretary of the BNP, told Al Jazeera that the people of Bangladesh never liked India’s interference in Bangladesh politics. “It’s now crystal clear that India did everything possible to keep the regime in power since 2014,” she alleged.
Resentment against India reached a boiling point in Bangladesh after Hasina’s Awami League secured a resounding victory in the January 7 elections, capturing 223 seats out of 300 in parliament. Critics alleged the process lacked legitimacy due to the opposition’s boycott and the presence of numerous Awami League-backed independent candidates, raising questions about the fairness of the vote.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered swift congratulations to both Hasina and “the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections”, endorsing the outcome. In contrast, Western governments expressed reservations, highlighting the boycott and the lack of a strong opposition presence.
“If I have to talk about other country’s interest in our local politics, then the first name I would mention is the United States which even declared a Visa restriction policy based on Bangladesh election. On the other hand, India, from the very onset officially stated that Bangladesh’s election is its internal matter and it has no say in it,” Arafat said.
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League told Al Jazeera that the “India out” campaign is run by opposition parties who instead of taking part in the election blaming “India for their misfortune.”
“They [the opposition parties] have this trump card of bashing India if anything goes against them,” said Quader, “I don’t think common people of Bangladesh support this campaign. They know that Awami League will never work against the interest of people.”
The burgeoning anti-India campaign, meanwhile, is finding traction within Bangladesh’s domestic political landscape, raising concerns about potentially destabilising Bangladesh’s economy and impacting regional relations.
Gono Odhikar Parishad, a rising political force aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led opposition, is promoting the boycott movement. Party leader Nurul Haque Nur declared at a recent rally in Dhaka that “We all have to start an ‘India Out’ campaign'” while alleging Indian interference in the recent elections.
Rumeen Farhana, international affairs secretary of the BNP, told Al Jazeera that the people of Bangladesh never liked India’s interference in Bangladesh politics. “It’s now crystal clear that India did everything possible to keep the regime in power since 2014,” she alleged.
Resentment against India reached a boiling point in Bangladesh after Hasina’s Awami League secured a resounding victory in the January 7 elections, capturing 223 seats out of 300 in parliament. Critics alleged the process lacked legitimacy due to the opposition’s boycott and the presence of numerous Awami League-backed independent candidates, raising questions about the fairness of the vote.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered swift congratulations to both Hasina and “the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections”, endorsing the outcome. In contrast, Western governments expressed reservations, highlighting the boycott and the lack of a strong opposition presence.
Facebook Screengrab of calls for a boycott of Indian products in favour of Bangladeshi products
Farhana said anti-India public sentiment in Bangladesh goes beyond politics. “The border killing, unresolved water sharing of 53 rivers including Teesta, trade deficit all play roles to that,” she said.
Around 1,276 Bangladeshis have been killed and 1,183 injured by India’s border forces since 2010, according to human rights organisation Odhikar. Then there are the decades-old unresolved water-sharing agreements for 53 transboundary rivers in addition to Bangladesh’s massive trade deficit with India, all of which have raised concerns about Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic independence.
Ali Riaz, distinguished professor of politics and government at Illinois State University, told Al Jazeera that India’s unqualified support of the Awami League and Hasina during the 2024 elections has raised questions among many citizens about “whether it has compromised the country’s sovereignty”.
However, Sreeradha Datta, a professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonepat, India, refuted the claims of India’s “unqualified support” and said the Awami League was “creative in going past the polls even if India [had] not agree[d] to recognise the election”.
“China and so many others congratulated PM Hasina right after the election, so would that make any difference if India didn’t support it?” she asked.
Around 1,276 Bangladeshis have been killed and 1,183 injured by India’s border forces since 2010, according to human rights organisation Odhikar. Then there are the decades-old unresolved water-sharing agreements for 53 transboundary rivers in addition to Bangladesh’s massive trade deficit with India, all of which have raised concerns about Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic independence.
Ali Riaz, distinguished professor of politics and government at Illinois State University, told Al Jazeera that India’s unqualified support of the Awami League and Hasina during the 2024 elections has raised questions among many citizens about “whether it has compromised the country’s sovereignty”.
However, Sreeradha Datta, a professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonepat, India, refuted the claims of India’s “unqualified support” and said the Awami League was “creative in going past the polls even if India [had] not agree[d] to recognise the election”.
“China and so many others congratulated PM Hasina right after the election, so would that make any difference if India didn’t support it?” she asked.
The economic fallout
Analysts, meanwhile, pointed out that boycotting Indian goods could have major repercussions for the economic relationship between the two countries.
India is a major exporter to Bangladesh with annual trade historically exceeding $12bn. Additionally, Bangladesh relies heavily on India for essential commodities, and the two governments are currently in talks on an annual quota of imports of Indian farm products.
Calling the anti-India campaign a “political stunt”, Munshi Faiz Ahmed, former chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, a state-funded think tank, told Al Jazeera that the economic fallout of boycotting Indian products will be more severe for Bangladesh.
“I don’t think any rational Bangladeshi would opt for taking part in this campaign. India is our neighbouring country, and we are heavily dependent on them for our everyday essentials like rice and onions. We are dependent because we get those products at the cheapest prices because of geographical proximity,” Ahmed said, adding that sourcing those products from somewhere else would cost much more.
Jyoti Rahman, an Australia-based economist told Al Jazeera that the “India Out” movement may be politically important to the extent that “it sends a strong message to the Indian policymakers” about growing discontent in Bangladesh but the “economic effects are less clear cut”.
Rahman pointed out that despite being India’s fourth largest export destination, Bangladesh still comprises about 3.5 percent of the Indian export market. “Even if all exports to Bangladesh stopped, it probably wouldn’t significantly affect the Indian economy as these products would find a market elsewhere,” Rahman said.
On the other hand, he said, a fifth of Bangladeshi imports are from India, including essentials such as cotton for the garment manufacturing sector, cereals and produce such as onions. “[Looking at] other sources of imports for these products could stoke inflation further,” Rahman said.
However, he highlighted the potential political effectiveness of boycotting non-essential items like tourism, cultural imports like Bollywood movies and consumer products, which he said could benefit domestic industries.
The overwhelming dependence of Bangladesh on India also means that “Indian businesses are vulnerable if such a movement gains traction and support”, Riaz said.
Even if the economic impacts are limited or not immediate, the boycotts will contribute to the public discourse on the role of India in Bangladeshi politics and highlight the unequal relationship, he said. “This is no less important.”
Additional reporting by Abu Jakir
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Fact-check: Did BNP really launch an ‘India Out’ campaign?
We ought to be wary of disinformation campaigns
Fact-check: Did BNP really launch an ‘India Out’ campaign?
We ought to be wary of disinformation campaigns
Screenshot of the video report by Firstpost on YouTube, published on January 18, where news presenter Palki Sharma, without mentioning any credible sources, claims that Bangladesh's main opposition BNP has launched an 'India Out' movement following Maldives' footsteps. No media outlet in Bangladesh has reported any such development. BNP spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has also said that "the party high-ups have not yet discussed about [calling] for boycotting Indian products or promoting an 'India Out' campaign."
A video recently popped up on my YouTube feed, the headline of which struck me: "Bangladesh's Opposition Launches 'India Out' Campaign." Upon seeing the YouTube channel's name, I realised it was Firstpost, an online news website owned by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries.
The description of the video, which was published on January 18 and has since received more than 850,000 views, clearly mentions: "Bangladesh's opposition party BNP has reportedly launched an 'India Out' campaign inspired by the movement in the Maldives. Social media accounts are urging Bangladeshis to boycott Indian products. Will this campaign impact India-Bangladesh ties?" On the screen appears Palki Sharma, a news presenter and the managing editor of Firstpost, quoting "reports" on how BNP orchestrated a social media campaign against India. In the four-and-a-half-minute video, which discusses the alleged role of BNP's de facto leader Tarique Rahman in initiating the "India Out" movement, Sharma does not refer to the source of the "report."
As a fact-checker and digital investigative journalist, it's part of my job to watch over the daily news cycle and discover potential mis- and disinformation around the web. So I was well aware of a "boycott India" campaign brewing among Bangladeshis on online social platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube. To the best of my knowledge, the movement was initiated by social media influencers—some of whom are known as critics of the Awami League government. But I could not instantly recall any media reports about BNP or any other political parties talking about boycotting Indian products or expressing their support for the developing social media crusade. Hence, I checked on Google and YouTube to redress my ignorance and try to discover news related to the development. The search engines surprised me with a bunch of results including news articles in English and Hindi that claimed Bangladesh's opposition party BNP and its leaders had launched an "India Out" movement. All the reports are from different Indian outlets such as Zee News, India TV, ABP Live, Aaj Tak, News 18 India, Republic Bharat, TV9 Bharatvarsh, Oneindia Hindi, Times Now Navbharat, and many others. But no Bangladeshi media outlet reported on this. I wondered: would it not have been the norm for journalists in Bangladesh to have broken the story first?
Screenshot of the EurAsian Times story, based on which Indian media outlets reported on the unsubstantiated claim of BNP launching 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh.
Though the majority of Indian news channels and websites referred to "unidentified reports" as the origin of the news, News 18 India cited EurAsian Times as its source. In the matter of a few clicks, a report titled "Replicating Maldives, Bangladesh's Biggest Opposition Party, BNP Launches 'India Out' Movement" by EurAsian Times, a Canada-based website run by a few Indian-origin journalists. The report, which was published on January 15, was written by Jennifer Hicks (introduced on the website as "a columnist and political commentator writing on a large range of topics" who "has worked for over 15 years with the now-defunct Hong Kong Free Press").
But in my investigation, I found that at least two pieces of information provided in Hicks' two-sentence bio was false. First, Hong Kong Free Press is an operational English-language news website based in Hong Kong and was never shut down after its launch in 2015. Second, searching for the name of Jennifer Hicks on the Hong Kong Free Press website delivers no results, which could indicate that Hicks has never worked with the news outlet.
More interestingly, Hicks' write-up appeared to be a copy of another article published on January 11 by Weekly Blitz, a Dhaka-based website. In the past, the Blitz was exposed by fact-checkers and journalists' rights organisations as a source of political disinformation. At least 12 paragraphs of both articles match exactly, while the rest of Hicks' write-up is also a paraphrased (and a shorter) version of another Blitz article titled "Bangladesh Nationalist Party launches 'India Out' movement" (penned by the website's editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury). Turns out, Hicks is a regular writer for Blitz. However, besides the only headshot of her used on the Blitz and EurAsian Times websites (and a couple of other websites), her credentials or photographs could not be found elsewhere on the internet. It's quite curious that Choudhury is the editor of the news website where Hicks is a contributor, and she plagiarised his article from Blitz to publish it on a different website without giving any credit to the original writer, i.e. her supposed editor.
Screenshot of the article published on the Weekly Blitz, written by its editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
The original Blitz report was based on a source referred to as "it has been learnt"—meaning no source at all! The wording used when introducing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) says a lot about what the article was trying to portray. In no way can BNP be identified as an "Islamist" party, let alone be called an "ultra-Islamist" one. The loaded language of the Blitz article, lack of any sources and evidence to support its main claim, and the website's record of spreading political disinformation against independent journalists and critics of the government are enough to debunk its new assertion that BNP has launched a so-called India Out movement in Bangladesh.
Obviously, there could be anger among the pro-BNP crowd surrounding the January 7 election, and some groups inside the party may feel the urge to act along the India boycott movement pioneered by social media influencers. But as long as BNP is not officially taking a position on the campaign, or evidence of its top leadership covertly or overtly backing the move does not come out of a reliable public source, it's disinformative to say that "BNP is leading the 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh."
BNP's anger towards India is real. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, a spokesperson of the party, told Nikkei Asia this week that BNP "is vocal on Indian interference on Bangladesh internal issues, politics, and the role New Delhi played during the last general election." But he added, "However…the party high-ups have not yet discussed about [calling] for boycotting Indian products or promoting an 'India Out' campaign."
Disinformation from some Indian media outlets regarding Bangladeshi affairs is nothing new. In recent years, there have been several instances, documented by fact-checkers, wherein a section of Indian media participated in spreading outright false information about its neighbour. In November 2022, a report came out of several Bangladeshi media outlets that a flood-struck Pakistan had rejected relief aid from Bangladesh. Eventually, Dismislab tracked the origin of the news down to a website called Bangladesh Live News, which linked "to a Facebook page, which was opened on January 9, 2013. Page transparency shows that its only admin lives in India. The page produces news items and pushes them through advertisements, the payment for which is made in Indian rupees."
An instance of a misleading report published by an Indian media outlet, debunked by fact-checkers.
The patterns in such instances of disinformation echo the narratives of those trying to portray all Bangladeshis as being discriminatory against the country's Hindu minority. Given the fact that disinformation mechanisms have evidently been deployed to target opposition forces in Bangladesh, and given some Indian media outlets' record of amplifying such narratives, the days ahead may be more challenging in terms of fighting cross-border disinformation. To combat this, news outlets in both countries must work together.
Screenshot of the video report by Firstpost on YouTube, published on January 18, where news presenter Palki Sharma, without mentioning any credible sources, claims that Bangladesh's main opposition BNP has launched an 'India Out' movement following Maldives' footsteps. No media outlet in Bangladesh has reported any such development. BNP spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has also said that "the party high-ups have not yet discussed about [calling] for boycotting Indian products or promoting an 'India Out' campaign."
A video recently popped up on my YouTube feed, the headline of which struck me: "Bangladesh's Opposition Launches 'India Out' Campaign." Upon seeing the YouTube channel's name, I realised it was Firstpost, an online news website owned by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries.
The description of the video, which was published on January 18 and has since received more than 850,000 views, clearly mentions: "Bangladesh's opposition party BNP has reportedly launched an 'India Out' campaign inspired by the movement in the Maldives. Social media accounts are urging Bangladeshis to boycott Indian products. Will this campaign impact India-Bangladesh ties?" On the screen appears Palki Sharma, a news presenter and the managing editor of Firstpost, quoting "reports" on how BNP orchestrated a social media campaign against India. In the four-and-a-half-minute video, which discusses the alleged role of BNP's de facto leader Tarique Rahman in initiating the "India Out" movement, Sharma does not refer to the source of the "report."
As a fact-checker and digital investigative journalist, it's part of my job to watch over the daily news cycle and discover potential mis- and disinformation around the web. So I was well aware of a "boycott India" campaign brewing among Bangladeshis on online social platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube. To the best of my knowledge, the movement was initiated by social media influencers—some of whom are known as critics of the Awami League government. But I could not instantly recall any media reports about BNP or any other political parties talking about boycotting Indian products or expressing their support for the developing social media crusade. Hence, I checked on Google and YouTube to redress my ignorance and try to discover news related to the development. The search engines surprised me with a bunch of results including news articles in English and Hindi that claimed Bangladesh's opposition party BNP and its leaders had launched an "India Out" movement. All the reports are from different Indian outlets such as Zee News, India TV, ABP Live, Aaj Tak, News 18 India, Republic Bharat, TV9 Bharatvarsh, Oneindia Hindi, Times Now Navbharat, and many others. But no Bangladeshi media outlet reported on this. I wondered: would it not have been the norm for journalists in Bangladesh to have broken the story first?
Screenshot of the EurAsian Times story, based on which Indian media outlets reported on the unsubstantiated claim of BNP launching 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh.
Though the majority of Indian news channels and websites referred to "unidentified reports" as the origin of the news, News 18 India cited EurAsian Times as its source. In the matter of a few clicks, a report titled "Replicating Maldives, Bangladesh's Biggest Opposition Party, BNP Launches 'India Out' Movement" by EurAsian Times, a Canada-based website run by a few Indian-origin journalists. The report, which was published on January 15, was written by Jennifer Hicks (introduced on the website as "a columnist and political commentator writing on a large range of topics" who "has worked for over 15 years with the now-defunct Hong Kong Free Press").
But in my investigation, I found that at least two pieces of information provided in Hicks' two-sentence bio was false. First, Hong Kong Free Press is an operational English-language news website based in Hong Kong and was never shut down after its launch in 2015. Second, searching for the name of Jennifer Hicks on the Hong Kong Free Press website delivers no results, which could indicate that Hicks has never worked with the news outlet.
More interestingly, Hicks' write-up appeared to be a copy of another article published on January 11 by Weekly Blitz, a Dhaka-based website. In the past, the Blitz was exposed by fact-checkers and journalists' rights organisations as a source of political disinformation. At least 12 paragraphs of both articles match exactly, while the rest of Hicks' write-up is also a paraphrased (and a shorter) version of another Blitz article titled "Bangladesh Nationalist Party launches 'India Out' movement" (penned by the website's editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury). Turns out, Hicks is a regular writer for Blitz. However, besides the only headshot of her used on the Blitz and EurAsian Times websites (and a couple of other websites), her credentials or photographs could not be found elsewhere on the internet. It's quite curious that Choudhury is the editor of the news website where Hicks is a contributor, and she plagiarised his article from Blitz to publish it on a different website without giving any credit to the original writer, i.e. her supposed editor.
Screenshot of the article published on the Weekly Blitz, written by its editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
The original Blitz report was based on a source referred to as "it has been learnt"—meaning no source at all! The wording used when introducing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) says a lot about what the article was trying to portray. In no way can BNP be identified as an "Islamist" party, let alone be called an "ultra-Islamist" one. The loaded language of the Blitz article, lack of any sources and evidence to support its main claim, and the website's record of spreading political disinformation against independent journalists and critics of the government are enough to debunk its new assertion that BNP has launched a so-called India Out movement in Bangladesh.
Obviously, there could be anger among the pro-BNP crowd surrounding the January 7 election, and some groups inside the party may feel the urge to act along the India boycott movement pioneered by social media influencers. But as long as BNP is not officially taking a position on the campaign, or evidence of its top leadership covertly or overtly backing the move does not come out of a reliable public source, it's disinformative to say that "BNP is leading the 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh."
BNP's anger towards India is real. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, a spokesperson of the party, told Nikkei Asia this week that BNP "is vocal on Indian interference on Bangladesh internal issues, politics, and the role New Delhi played during the last general election." But he added, "However…the party high-ups have not yet discussed about [calling] for boycotting Indian products or promoting an 'India Out' campaign."
Disinformation from some Indian media outlets regarding Bangladeshi affairs is nothing new. In recent years, there have been several instances, documented by fact-checkers, wherein a section of Indian media participated in spreading outright false information about its neighbour. In November 2022, a report came out of several Bangladeshi media outlets that a flood-struck Pakistan had rejected relief aid from Bangladesh. Eventually, Dismislab tracked the origin of the news down to a website called Bangladesh Live News, which linked "to a Facebook page, which was opened on January 9, 2013. Page transparency shows that its only admin lives in India. The page produces news items and pushes them through advertisements, the payment for which is made in Indian rupees."
An instance of a misleading report published by an Indian media outlet, debunked by fact-checkers.
The patterns in such instances of disinformation echo the narratives of those trying to portray all Bangladeshis as being discriminatory against the country's Hindu minority. Given the fact that disinformation mechanisms have evidently been deployed to target opposition forces in Bangladesh, and given some Indian media outlets' record of amplifying such narratives, the days ahead may be more challenging in terms of fighting cross-border disinformation. To combat this, news outlets in both countries must work together.
Qadaruddin Shishir is Bangladesh fact-check editor at AFP.
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Police foil ‘India Out’ rally in Dhaka
Police on Saturday foiled a pre-announced rally of the 12-party alliance in front of the National Press Club demanding a boycott of Indian goods in...
www.newagebd.net
Police foil ‘India Out’ rally in Dhaka
Staff Correspondent | Published: 20:32, Feb 24,2024 | Updated: 01:10, Feb 25,2024
Police obstruct a procession, brought out of by the 12-Party Alliance with a call to boycott Indian goods, in front of the National Press Club on Saturday. — Md Saurav
Police on Saturday foiled a pre-announced rally of the 12-party alliance in front of the National Press Club demanding a boycott of Indian goods in Bangladesh, protesting at aggression and alleged Indian interference in the politics of Bangladesh.
Witnesses said that police took away the banner of the alliance forcefully in front of the Press Club when the leaders and activists of the alliance gathered and tried to start their rally holding a banner with the slogan ‘India Out; Boycott India’ as part of its campaign against Indian products.
At that time, a team of police led by Shahbag police station petrol inspector Sarder Bulbul Ahmed obstructed the leaders of the alliance, asking them not to hold the rally with the slogan ‘India Out’ on the banner, which he said was against the country’s foreign policy.
Contacted, Sarder Bulbul Ahmed told New Age that at first, they requested the protesters not to hold the programme under such a banner where they wrote the words ‘India Out’ as it was contradictory to the country’s foreign policy.
‘As they did not obey our instructions, we were forced to take away the banner, and there was no other incident,’ he added.
Later, the 12-party alliance started a protest procession without a banner instead of holding the rally due to police obstacles, and the procession ended near the Purana Paltan crossing.
Shahadat Hossain Salim, the spokesperson for the 12-party alliance and the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, strongly condemned the police obstacle to their rally and procession.
He also alleged that the police threatened them for not doing the programme.
Salim urged people to boycott Indian products, protesting at Indian aggression and its interference in the politics of Bangladesh. He also criticised India for border killings and harassing Bangladeshi people in India.
Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, and the coordinator of the 12-party alliance, said that the Boycott India movement was ongoing and would continue.
‘We have seen patriotic people across the world protesting against aggression, but in our country, the subservient government of Delhi has taken away the right of people to speak,’ he said.
He also urged the people of the country to boycott Indian products.
Rashed Pradhan, senior vice-president of the Jatiya Democratic Party, said that the police do not want anyone to hold any democratic movement in Bangladesh. ‘Bangladesh Police is under the control of Sheikh Hasina, while she is under the control of Delhi,’ he said.
Amid allegations of Indian interference in the national elections held on January 7, several opposition parties in Bangladesh joined the ‘India Out’ campaign and boycotted Indian goods in Bangladesh.
The campaign, labelled ‘India Out,’ is mainly being driven on social media, and the hashtags #IndiaOut, #BoycottIndia and #BoycottIndianProducts have been trending on Facebook for the past few weeks.
Soon after the campaign was launched, drops in sales of Indian products were seen at shops in Bangladesh, claimed the India Out campaigners.
Police obstruct a procession, brought out of by the 12-Party Alliance with a call to boycott Indian goods, in front of the National Press Club on Saturday. — Md Saurav
Police on Saturday foiled a pre-announced rally of the 12-party alliance in front of the National Press Club demanding a boycott of Indian goods in Bangladesh, protesting at aggression and alleged Indian interference in the politics of Bangladesh.
Witnesses said that police took away the banner of the alliance forcefully in front of the Press Club when the leaders and activists of the alliance gathered and tried to start their rally holding a banner with the slogan ‘India Out; Boycott India’ as part of its campaign against Indian products.
At that time, a team of police led by Shahbag police station petrol inspector Sarder Bulbul Ahmed obstructed the leaders of the alliance, asking them not to hold the rally with the slogan ‘India Out’ on the banner, which he said was against the country’s foreign policy.
Contacted, Sarder Bulbul Ahmed told New Age that at first, they requested the protesters not to hold the programme under such a banner where they wrote the words ‘India Out’ as it was contradictory to the country’s foreign policy.
‘As they did not obey our instructions, we were forced to take away the banner, and there was no other incident,’ he added.
Later, the 12-party alliance started a protest procession without a banner instead of holding the rally due to police obstacles, and the procession ended near the Purana Paltan crossing.
Shahadat Hossain Salim, the spokesperson for the 12-party alliance and the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, strongly condemned the police obstacle to their rally and procession.
He also alleged that the police threatened them for not doing the programme.
Salim urged people to boycott Indian products, protesting at Indian aggression and its interference in the politics of Bangladesh. He also criticised India for border killings and harassing Bangladeshi people in India.
Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, and the coordinator of the 12-party alliance, said that the Boycott India movement was ongoing and would continue.
‘We have seen patriotic people across the world protesting against aggression, but in our country, the subservient government of Delhi has taken away the right of people to speak,’ he said.
He also urged the people of the country to boycott Indian products.
Rashed Pradhan, senior vice-president of the Jatiya Democratic Party, said that the police do not want anyone to hold any democratic movement in Bangladesh. ‘Bangladesh Police is under the control of Sheikh Hasina, while she is under the control of Delhi,’ he said.
Amid allegations of Indian interference in the national elections held on January 7, several opposition parties in Bangladesh joined the ‘India Out’ campaign and boycotted Indian goods in Bangladesh.
The campaign, labelled ‘India Out,’ is mainly being driven on social media, and the hashtags #IndiaOut, #BoycottIndia and #BoycottIndianProducts have been trending on Facebook for the past few weeks.
Soon after the campaign was launched, drops in sales of Indian products were seen at shops in Bangladesh, claimed the India Out campaigners.
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’India Out’ movement surfaces in Bangladesh: Echoes of Maldives - International | Daily Mirror
Despite the geographical distance between the Maldives and Bangladesh, a shared narrative emerges through the ’India Out’ campaign. This campaign, initiated by the main opposition party in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s election victory, ..
www.dailymirror.lk
’India Out’ movement surfaces in Bangladesh: Echoes of Maldives
18 February 2024 09:45 am
Despite the geographical distance between the Maldives and Bangladesh, a shared narrative emerges through the 'India Out' campaign. This campaign, initiated by the main opposition party in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina's election victory, draws inspiration from a similar movement led by former Maldivian President Yameen and his Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The underlying factor linking these campaigns is China's influence.
The timing of the Bangladesh campaign, coinciding with President Muizzu's visit to China, suggests Beijing's involvement in destabilizing Bangladesh. Muizzu's focus on repatriating Indian military personnel from the Maldives and his subsequent proposal to share strategies with Bangladesh's opposition underscores China's role in this agenda. Consequently, the boycott of Indian goods has evolved into a dangerous symbol of external interference aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh.
Muizzu's proposition to Chinese President Xi Jinping to share tactics with Bangladesh's opposition further highlights China's hand in this endeavor. The immediate acceptance of this offer underscores the depth of China's involvement. This collaboration amplifies the threat posed by mischievous elements seeking to undermine Bangladesh's stability.
In Dhaka, the campaign unfolded amidst India's historically strong rapport with Sheikh Hasina's government and its strained relationship with the opposition, prompting suspicions that India favored maintaining the status quo. Exiled Bangladeshi physician Pinaki Bhattacharya, residing in Paris since fleeing alleged government harassment in 2018, has emerged as a central figure in this social media movement. Bhattacharya's activism accuses India of meddling in Bangladesh's recent elections to perpetuate Sheikh Hasina's rule.
Dr. Bhattacharya's LinkedIn profile identifies him as an "Expert in Sales and Medico-Marketing of Oncology & Chronic care medicines," with specialized experience in aiding start-ups and ailing companies. His personal website reveals his involvement in Bangladesh's Leftist movement during his student years and showcases his extensive literary contributions, encompassing over 19 books on the nation's political, social, and economic history.
With a significant online presence, including a YouTube channel boasting 1.2 million followers, Bhattacharya mirrors his campaign strategy deployed in the Maldives, leveraging various social media platforms. His #BoycottIndia campaign, launched in mid-January, garnered over two million followers, urging Bangladeshis to participate in what he termed "a monumental endeavor." Bhattacharya's message, rooted in patriotism and a desire to liberate Bangladesh from perceived constraints, has struck a chord with thousands of supporters.
Furthermore, Dr. Bhattacharya's activism extends to his involvement in the Leftist movement during his student years in Bangladesh. His dedication to understanding and documenting his country's political, social, and economic landscape is evident in his authorship of over 19 books on these subjects. Leveraging his significant online presence, which includes a YouTube channel boasting 1.2 million followers, Dr. Bhattacharya has initiated a campaign across various social media platforms. His #BoycottIndia movement, launched in mid-January, has gained substantial traction, with over two million online followers rallying behind his call to action.
The momentum of the boycott campaign accelerated when influential accounts affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its media cell, and its magazine 'The Road to Democracy' joined forces. On January 18, following claims by the BNP's media cell asserting a rise in anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, a coordinated effort was launched. The party's media wing referenced a YouTube video alleging India's interference in Bangladeshi elections over the past 15 years, further fueling the campaign against Indian products.
According to a report by Eurasian Times, the 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh is allegedly orchestrated by Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, residing in London. Rahman purportedly directed party members to emulate the anti-India movement seen in the Maldives, aiming to escalate anti-Indian sentiments in Bangladesh. Prominent figures driving the boycott campaign include Dr. Pinaki Bhattacharya, BNP youth wing leader Ershad Nabil Khan, BNP’s student wing for private universities named 'Voices For Democracy,' London-based activist Rupom Razzaque, and an account called Revolt, previously dedicated to soccer updates.
The BNP's cyber wing has initiated the dissemination of anti-India sentiment through social media, particularly on platforms like Twitter. This campaign is gaining traction on the ground, with reports indicating a significant impact on sales. Shopkeepers in Dhaka have reported a sharp decline in sales of Indian products such as Parachute oil, attributing it to YouTube videos advocating a boycott of Indian goods, often created by Dr. Bhattacharya and circulated online by the BNP.
Following Bangladesh's recent elections, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term, a widespread "India Out" campaign was launched, alleging Indian interference in Bangladeshi politics. The movement, fueled by the Bangladeshi diaspora and opposition groups, advocates for the boycott of Indian products. This echoes similar campaigns witnessed in the Maldives, where anti-India sentiment played a crucial role in Mohamed Muizzu's presidential victory.
In his latest statements, Dr. Bhattacharya emphasized Bangladesh's growing economic ties with India, positioning it as India's fourth-largest trade partner. He argued that boycotting Indian goods would inflict significant harm on India, as its exports to Bangladesh are poised to surpass the US$ 20 billion mark. Dr. Bhattacharya also urged Bangladeshis to refrain from visiting India for various purposes, citing the country as a significant source of tourism for India. He advocated for reciprocating India's actions towards the Maldives, aligning with the overarching goals of the 'India Out' movement.
The anti-India movement in Bangladesh has gained momentum online, fueled by user-generated content. According to India Today, social media surveys reveal images of crossed-out Indian products like Amul Butter and Dabur Honey circulating alongside tips on boycotting these goods through barcode identification. A post highlighting the 890 prefix used in Indian product barcodes has garnered over 1,000 shares. The Gono Odhikar Parishad, a rising political force aligned with the BNP, is actively promoting the boycott movement. Party leader Nurul Haque Nur declared at a recent rally in Dhaka the necessity of starting an 'India Out' campaign, alleging Indian interference in recent elections. Rumeen Farhana, international affairs secretary of the BNP, accused India of meddling in Bangladeshi politics since 2014, capitalizing on the opposition's boycott of elections and shifting blame for Hasina's return to power.
Boycotting Indian goods could impact the economic relationship between India and Bangladesh significantly. With India historically being a major exporter to Bangladesh, annual trade surpasses US$ 12 billion. In addition, Bangladesh heavily relies on India for essential commodities and discussions are ongoing regarding an annual quota of Indian farm product imports. Although the economic impact may be limited, the boycott will stimulate public discourse on India's role in Bangladeshi politics and underscore the unequal nature of the economic relationship. Despite China defending Sheikh Hasina's return to power, there is no call from the Bangladeshi Opposition to boycott Chinese goods.
As Bangladesh turns more to China amid economic challenges, primarily loan repayment pressures and higher global energy prices, the dangers of Chinese initiatives to sideline India in South Asia are evident. This is exemplified by the 'India Out' campaign, seen initially in the Maldives and now in Bangladesh. While India has managed to restore its geopolitical influence in Sri Lanka, other nations like Nepal and Bhutan remain vulnerable to Chinese influence. Successfully navigating this path will require India to establish a clear connection with the opposition in Bangladesh, emphasizing its friendship with Dhaka.
The timing of the Bangladesh campaign, coinciding with President Muizzu's visit to China, suggests Beijing's involvement in destabilizing Bangladesh. Muizzu's focus on repatriating Indian military personnel from the Maldives and his subsequent proposal to share strategies with Bangladesh's opposition underscores China's role in this agenda. Consequently, the boycott of Indian goods has evolved into a dangerous symbol of external interference aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh.
Muizzu's proposition to Chinese President Xi Jinping to share tactics with Bangladesh's opposition further highlights China's hand in this endeavor. The immediate acceptance of this offer underscores the depth of China's involvement. This collaboration amplifies the threat posed by mischievous elements seeking to undermine Bangladesh's stability.
In Dhaka, the campaign unfolded amidst India's historically strong rapport with Sheikh Hasina's government and its strained relationship with the opposition, prompting suspicions that India favored maintaining the status quo. Exiled Bangladeshi physician Pinaki Bhattacharya, residing in Paris since fleeing alleged government harassment in 2018, has emerged as a central figure in this social media movement. Bhattacharya's activism accuses India of meddling in Bangladesh's recent elections to perpetuate Sheikh Hasina's rule.
Dr. Bhattacharya's LinkedIn profile identifies him as an "Expert in Sales and Medico-Marketing of Oncology & Chronic care medicines," with specialized experience in aiding start-ups and ailing companies. His personal website reveals his involvement in Bangladesh's Leftist movement during his student years and showcases his extensive literary contributions, encompassing over 19 books on the nation's political, social, and economic history.
With a significant online presence, including a YouTube channel boasting 1.2 million followers, Bhattacharya mirrors his campaign strategy deployed in the Maldives, leveraging various social media platforms. His #BoycottIndia campaign, launched in mid-January, garnered over two million followers, urging Bangladeshis to participate in what he termed "a monumental endeavor." Bhattacharya's message, rooted in patriotism and a desire to liberate Bangladesh from perceived constraints, has struck a chord with thousands of supporters.
Furthermore, Dr. Bhattacharya's activism extends to his involvement in the Leftist movement during his student years in Bangladesh. His dedication to understanding and documenting his country's political, social, and economic landscape is evident in his authorship of over 19 books on these subjects. Leveraging his significant online presence, which includes a YouTube channel boasting 1.2 million followers, Dr. Bhattacharya has initiated a campaign across various social media platforms. His #BoycottIndia movement, launched in mid-January, has gained substantial traction, with over two million online followers rallying behind his call to action.
The momentum of the boycott campaign accelerated when influential accounts affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its media cell, and its magazine 'The Road to Democracy' joined forces. On January 18, following claims by the BNP's media cell asserting a rise in anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, a coordinated effort was launched. The party's media wing referenced a YouTube video alleging India's interference in Bangladeshi elections over the past 15 years, further fueling the campaign against Indian products.
According to a report by Eurasian Times, the 'India Out' movement in Bangladesh is allegedly orchestrated by Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, residing in London. Rahman purportedly directed party members to emulate the anti-India movement seen in the Maldives, aiming to escalate anti-Indian sentiments in Bangladesh. Prominent figures driving the boycott campaign include Dr. Pinaki Bhattacharya, BNP youth wing leader Ershad Nabil Khan, BNP’s student wing for private universities named 'Voices For Democracy,' London-based activist Rupom Razzaque, and an account called Revolt, previously dedicated to soccer updates.
The BNP's cyber wing has initiated the dissemination of anti-India sentiment through social media, particularly on platforms like Twitter. This campaign is gaining traction on the ground, with reports indicating a significant impact on sales. Shopkeepers in Dhaka have reported a sharp decline in sales of Indian products such as Parachute oil, attributing it to YouTube videos advocating a boycott of Indian goods, often created by Dr. Bhattacharya and circulated online by the BNP.
Following Bangladesh's recent elections, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term, a widespread "India Out" campaign was launched, alleging Indian interference in Bangladeshi politics. The movement, fueled by the Bangladeshi diaspora and opposition groups, advocates for the boycott of Indian products. This echoes similar campaigns witnessed in the Maldives, where anti-India sentiment played a crucial role in Mohamed Muizzu's presidential victory.
In his latest statements, Dr. Bhattacharya emphasized Bangladesh's growing economic ties with India, positioning it as India's fourth-largest trade partner. He argued that boycotting Indian goods would inflict significant harm on India, as its exports to Bangladesh are poised to surpass the US$ 20 billion mark. Dr. Bhattacharya also urged Bangladeshis to refrain from visiting India for various purposes, citing the country as a significant source of tourism for India. He advocated for reciprocating India's actions towards the Maldives, aligning with the overarching goals of the 'India Out' movement.
The anti-India movement in Bangladesh has gained momentum online, fueled by user-generated content. According to India Today, social media surveys reveal images of crossed-out Indian products like Amul Butter and Dabur Honey circulating alongside tips on boycotting these goods through barcode identification. A post highlighting the 890 prefix used in Indian product barcodes has garnered over 1,000 shares. The Gono Odhikar Parishad, a rising political force aligned with the BNP, is actively promoting the boycott movement. Party leader Nurul Haque Nur declared at a recent rally in Dhaka the necessity of starting an 'India Out' campaign, alleging Indian interference in recent elections. Rumeen Farhana, international affairs secretary of the BNP, accused India of meddling in Bangladeshi politics since 2014, capitalizing on the opposition's boycott of elections and shifting blame for Hasina's return to power.
Boycotting Indian goods could impact the economic relationship between India and Bangladesh significantly. With India historically being a major exporter to Bangladesh, annual trade surpasses US$ 12 billion. In addition, Bangladesh heavily relies on India for essential commodities and discussions are ongoing regarding an annual quota of Indian farm product imports. Although the economic impact may be limited, the boycott will stimulate public discourse on India's role in Bangladeshi politics and underscore the unequal nature of the economic relationship. Despite China defending Sheikh Hasina's return to power, there is no call from the Bangladeshi Opposition to boycott Chinese goods.
As Bangladesh turns more to China amid economic challenges, primarily loan repayment pressures and higher global energy prices, the dangers of Chinese initiatives to sideline India in South Asia are evident. This is exemplified by the 'India Out' campaign, seen initially in the Maldives and now in Bangladesh. While India has managed to restore its geopolitical influence in Sri Lanka, other nations like Nepal and Bhutan remain vulnerable to Chinese influence. Successfully navigating this path will require India to establish a clear connection with the opposition in Bangladesh, emphasizing its friendship with Dhaka.
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