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Shocking videos showing buildings burning, horrifying violence and women pleading for help have been circulating online. These videos, shared by various accounts, are claimed to be evidence of widespread violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the sudden fall of Sheikh Hasina, the country’s long-time leader. British far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, has shared such videos with dark warnings, but many of these claims have been found to be false.

Debunked Claims and Verified Facts

Bangladesh has been in turmoil with student-led protests leading to over 400 deaths and the government’s collapse on 5 August. Although the unrest has affected both Hindu and Muslim communities, far-right influencers in India have shared misleading videos and information, falsely portraying the violence as targeted against Hindus by “Islamist radicals.” Some far-right Indian news agencies have also contributed to spreading these false narratives, framing politically motivated attacks as religiously driven, which has further fueled communal tensions.

One viral post claimed that the Navagraha Temple in Chittagong was set on fire by Islamists, but BBC Verify confirmed that the temple was undamaged, and the fire occurred at a nearby Awami League office. Similarly, claims about a Bangladeshi Hindu cricketer’s home being burned down and a school being destroyed have been debunked; both incidents were politically motivated rather than religiously.

Global Spread of Misinformation

The false narratives have been amplified globally, with Tommy Robinson sharing unverified videos claiming violence against Hindus. However, investigations revealed that some of these incidents, such as an attack on a woman’s property, were related to land disputes, not religious conflicts. Local residents, including both Hindus and Muslims, reported that the attack was not religiously motivated, and other Hindu families and temples in the area were not affected.

Muslim Protesters Defend Hindu Temples

Amidst the spread of false claims, some Muslim protesters in Bangladesh have taken it upon themselves to protect Hindu temples. Moinul, a protester standing guard at a temple in Hatharazi, Chittagong, stated, “It’s our responsibility to protect them.” This sentiment was echoed by local Hindu Choton Banik, who expressed hope for continued peaceful coexistence in independent Bangladesh.

Source: BBC