August 9, 2024: Amid the ongoing political upheaval in Bangladesh, which saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure following a coup, social media has been flooded with distressing videos of looting and arson. One video, in particular, showing a building engulfed in flames, was inaccurately circulated as footage of a Hindu temple being set on fire by Muslim extremists, reported the Varta Bharathi.
The video was initially shared by the Twitter account Visegrád 24, which incorrectly identified the burning building as a Hindu temple. This misinformation was then propagated by Indian news channels, including News24 and Zee News Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, presenting it as evidence of a religiously motivated attack.
However, a fact-check by Bangladeshi investigator Sohanur Rahman debunked these claims, identifying the building as the Raj Palace Coffee Shop & Restaurant in the Satkhira district of Bangladesh, not a Hindu temple. His findings were supported by images available on Google Maps and information from the Facebook page Kalaroa Speech. AltNews also confirmed that the restaurant is owned by a youth leader of the Awami League.
In response to the misinformation, Twitter user @Zoobear2013 of AltNews sought to correct the false claims. His efforts to clarify the situation helped to address the misinformation circulating online.
Despite these clarifications, the false narrative continues to spread on social media, amplified by accounts such as Sunanda Roy, Hindu Voice, and Random Sena, which are known for disseminating dubious information.
This incident highlights the critical need for verifying information before sharing, especially in sensitive situations that could heighten communal tensions. As misinformation can spread rapidly, it is essential for media outlets and individuals to exercise caution and responsibility.
