Bangladesh: A Flood of Misinformation

Ramakrishnan

Frontier, December 15-21, 2024, published a “Note on Sammilita Sanatani Jote” by SS, the focus being the arrest of ISKON functionary Chinmoy Krishna Das. “But what dozens of TV channels in India are showing day in and day out betrays Yunus government’s ignorance,” it says. In fact, this has been a quite common view, given the flood of misinformation and deliberate disinformation, also by Delhi. Dr Yunus met on Dec 5 leaders of all religions, regarding violence against minorities. He wanted them to give ground reports that were not reflected by the govt. 32 attended, and 26 spoke. RK Mission Swami Premanand and Avinash Mitra co-director of Harichand Temple are among them. Mitra said: “Discord is fuelled by those who fan the flames. It is crucial to prevent outside forces from targeting Hindus in our country,” (Asia News, Dec 6 reported. It belongs to minorities). Bangladesh media commented: It has been an “industrial scale” misinformation that was drawing parallels with Gaza and Ukraine, ever since Hasina’s ouster. That served to further strain bilateral relations. Trump used it to gain votes, by promising to protect Hindus, together with Jews. It was embraced by MPs in UK, some of them misrepresented Bangladesh as an “Islamic state” reflecting Indian misinformation, and Bangladesh is the “next Afghanistan. This article presents some notable points in this regard.

Delhi witnessed a rally on Dec 10 World Human Rights Day, in which former top bureaucrats, diplomats and judges joined apart from Sangh Parivar. They demanded an end to “persecution” of Hindus, and “immediate” release of “Pujya” Chinmoy Das. Ironically, on the same day, about 20 EU diplomats were in Dhaka, inaugurating an exhibition and a book hailing the Revolution there. Top leaders from over 20 other countries had met Dr Yunus at UN sessions, and supported the new regime. Obviously, few outside India believed the misinformation (At least 97 cases have been filed and 75 people arrested by the interim govt, for attacks on Hindus up to Dec10). One speaker at an RSS conclave on Bangladesh (reported Organizer, Sep4) advised not to put all eggs in Hasina basket. Modi met many at UN in Sep, but shunned Yunus. But Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri rushed to Dhaka the same day, the first high-level contact, after Hasina fled Aug 5, and hinted it would do business with the Yunus regime, and its policy would be “people-centric”. Misri made a counter-proposal of a BIMSTEC meeting, after Yunus conferred with Pakistan to re-activate Saarc, cold-storage by Modi.

“Pujya Chinmoy” was arrested under sedition charges etc, on Nov 25, and produced in court the next day. His bail plea was rejected. Charges included hoisting a saffron flag above the Bangladesh flag, reported the Economic Times. Rule of law, and interference in internal affairs of another country did not matter to those in Delhi rally. Chinmoy was expelled in July, weeks before Hasina fled, amid “serious and heinous” allegations, by Iscon Bangladesh. Iscon announced that fact, reported Prothom Alo Nov 28, with a photo of the press meet. He and 11 others were expelled “for breaching discipline, and they do not represent Iscon.. some children brought out allegations of misconduct (common to many Babas in India) against Chinmoy, who was asked to refrain from any activities of the organisation and Pundarik Dham for 3 months, which he defied… hence his permanent expulsion last July.” Calls were made to ban Iscon Bangladesh as Chinmoy supporters protested, hacked assistant public prosecutor (APP) Saiful Islam to death, in the court premises, soon after his bail plea was rejected, Chattogram Bar Association president Nazim Uddin Chowdhury told Prothom Alo.2000 protesters blocked police vans taking him away from court. The notoriety of Iscon of 1960-80 period is forgotten by many today.

“In the statement, Charu Chandra Das said a coordinated smear campaign has been launched against Iscon Bangladesh centering the recent movement of Bangladesh Sanatani Jagran Mancha, of which Chinmoy is a spokesperson. “We want to unequivocally declare Iscon Bangladesh does not have any involvement with such nefarious incidents or the ongoing movement.” Iscon’s official statement on Oct 3 itself stated ‘Chinmoy is not our spokesperson, and his statements are his own’. “Iscon Bangladesh urged the govt to ensure exemplary punishment for the killers of lawyer Saiful...” “Replying to a question about a remark of Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader in Bengal Assembly, they said Iscon is an international organisation which is not run from India.”

Why was Chinmoy arrested? He addressed a massive rally in violence-stricken Rangpur on Nov 22, spoke on Hindu grievances, besides the flag episode. Republic TV falsely reported, “Muslim lawyer representing Chinmoy was killed,” which went viral, to further demonise Bangladesh. Alif’s asailants, Zia Uddin Fahim and Rajiv Bhattacharya were affiliated with Awami League’s student wing. It is a replica of the notorious Chatra Parishad of 1970s Kolkata, nurtured by Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi etc.

An investigation by Bangladesh fact checker, Rumor Scanner found that between 12 August and 5 December, some 13 false reports were run in Indian media after Hasina’s fall. A total of 49 Indian media outlets were identified for spreading these fake stories. Among them, Republic Bangla led the list, broadcasting 5 rumours. Hindustan Times, Zee News, Live Mint, India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak were also named. Incidents of UP Hathras stampede, a Bangalore incident of violence against a woman, a temple incident from Bengal were among reports exposed. But almost none reported the fact check, endorsed also by BBC. A post on X reported an attack on Nobogroho temple in Chattogram, but a later image showed it undamaged.

Indian agencies, official and unofficial including RSS, expressed concerns about ‘plight’ of minorities: An article in countercurrents.org of 01/11/2024 on ‘Hindutva itching for gross interference’ reported a massive rally in Chittagong, with tens of thousands, on Oct 25 by Sanatan Jagran Manch, with 8 demands: apparently reasonable but some obviously strange slogans, and coupled with “warnings” by Hindu minorities… they will not cease their mass demonstration until the govt fulfills them: 1.The formation of a tribunal to speedily try those involved in crimes against minorities.2. Appropriate compensation to victims and their rehabilitation. 3. Enacting a minority protection law immediately. 4. Formation of a ministry of minority affairs. 5. Building of prayer rooms or places of worship for minorities in educational institutions and hostels. 6. Hindu Buddhist and Christian welfare trusts should be elevated to foundations. 7. The ‘Property Recovery and Preservation Act and 8.transfer of Entrusted Property Act’ should be properly implemented. They also demanded that a 5-day holiday (!) be announced for Durga Puja. On Oct 10, Bangladesh minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan put out a statement saying that they hear the demands, and as a show of assurance enacted a 2-day Puja holiday for the first time in history. In India, mostly only one is declared holiday.

UN intervention sought!
Mohan Bhagwat, in his ‘Vijayadashami’ speech, Nagpur, Oct. 12, 2024 (PTI), made a reference to Bangladesh: “being unorganised and weak is like inviting atrocities by the wicked”. Hindus should take lessons from there. “For the first time, Hindus united to protect themselves, taken to the streets to defend themselves, not just Hindus, but all minorities are in danger. They need support from Hindus from the entire world and India’s government must step in,” the RSS chief said, fanning global Hindutva frenzy as against Muslims. He said “deep state”, “wokeism” and “cultural Marxism” are topics of discussion nowadays. “In fact, they are the declared enemies of all cultural traditions... capturing educational institutions and spreading their distorted philosophy. He “urged Indian govt to take a more active role in protecting minorities.” All this suits the global Zionist lobbies that are backed by imperialists, America in particular.

Compare the ground reality of Bangladesh with the situation in India, marked by lynchings and arson by hooligans (called vigilantes), and worse, bulldozing of homes and businesses of Muslims and other minorities, and Dalits, collective fines – by Govt agencies. RSS winked at such atrocities, if not encouraged them. What is meant by “more active role”? RSS and Delhi make a big issue whenever its “democratically” USA points out some incidents against minorities in India, not to speak of Pakistan raising questions about Kashmir, Muslims being the victims. It is “gross interference” they scream. ‘One rule for you, one for me’ is brazen hypocrisy.

RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale on Oct 26 said: “The Hindu community of Bangladesh should not flee, they should stay there. It is their motherland (It does not apply to Indian Muslims?) India played an important role in that (1971 independence from Pakistan). We say there is a ‘shaktipeeth’ there, and that contributed a lot in the history of our independence.. For this, they should be protected.” Hosabale “added that UNO and other organisations would have to make arrangements for their security..”Mamata Banerjee also suggested it should be referred to the UN, and said she would support Modi, as it is a Central subject.

A student-leaders’ round-table at The Daily Star, Sep 4, 2024, critically examined the influence of religion on political dynamics in Bangladesh. It throws some light on the student revolt. Participant leaders included women and Hindus. They emphasised, ‘while Islam teaches tolerance and protection for all faiths, religion-based politics often leads to extremism and exclusivity, challenging the principles of secularism…political parties exploit religious sentiments for electoral gain; called for an inclusive approach to politics, one that transcends religious or ideological divides; It is the government’s duty to ensure that individuals of all faiths are protected’.

“Banning religious parties has been ineffective; repression can unintentionally strengthen their appeal.”(Meghmallar Basu, Organiser, Dhaka University.) ‘In theory, religion-based politics could be progressive, as illustrated by the Maulana Bhashani’s politics. However parties like Jamaat-e-Islami which engage in religion-based politics, often present themselves as protectors. In the 1980s, (RSS like Islamic) Shibir was not banned outright but was challenged through a collective agreement among active student parties, despite their differing views’. They reached a consensus to exclude such politics from campus, and any attempts by Shibir to enter were collectively thwarted. It represented both a social and political struggle.

The religious parties are not fundamentally different from the Awami League or BNP, aside from some linguistic differences. Since most people are religiously inclined, these parties exploit religious rhetoric to build their voter base. .. it seems that religion is being weaponised by parties to suppress others through its rules and rituals. Labeling groups as majorities or minorities fosters a sense of otherness, impacting indigenous people, Dalits, and others. In 2024, mass murders occurred, where students, youths, and the elderly people were killed by the Awami League govt. While condemning them, it’s also important not to forget Jamaat-e-Islami’s role as war criminals in 1971.

“Bangladesh’s Hindus mull canceling Durga Puja amid security concerns,” media rumoured (Times of India, Oct 4, 2024), ahead of the festival. Reality:

“A 5-day long Sharadiya Durga Puja, biggest religious festival of the Bangladesh Hindus, ended peacefully with the immersion of deities, on 2024 Oct 13..It was celebrated at 31,461 (some said 33,000) mandaps (pandals), including 252 in Dhaka, per Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. Dr Yunus visited the renowned Dhakeswari temple. 3-tier security was arranged and enabled lakhs of Hindus to participate. Muslims are opposed to idolatry, but here it is Bengali nationality, rather than Islam, that is dominant.

 Hindus are victims of 200 incidents in 50 districts since Aug 5(First Post Dec 6) reported PTI, just before India’s Foreign Secretary visited Dhaka on Dec10. Canards were earlier spread about “2000 plus incidents”- an “industrial scale of exaggeration”, Bangladesh media commented. Yunus repeatedly said they were more political, targeting Hasina supporters, than communal. Mostly they took place in first 10 days after Hasina fled, when administration, including police, was paralysed. (Data in Organiser inadvertently supported it.) “Hasina’s was a farce of an election, but was used to delegitimise the democratic movement that saw the end of the fascist govt. Hasina had unleashed deadly violence on peaceful protesters, shooting them on sight, killing up to 1000 students etc. A Judicial commission submitted an interim report on more than 3500 “disappearances” during Hasina regime over a decade.

The December 2 attack on Agartala Mission, followed a protest by Bongio Hindu Jagran group. As per The Hindu, Acharya Sanjay Shastri said, after submitting a memorandum, the Assistant High Commissioner “listened to our grievances, assured us that they will carry our voices to the govt.” Indian media mostly left out such facts, like the burning of Bangladesh flag in Kolkata Nov 28 in police presence, like in Agartala later.

Since 2013, at least 3,600 such attacks have taken place, per Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a Bangladeshi Human Rights Organisation (the print.in, 21 Oct, 2021). Abhijit Majumder, Prominent Journalist revealed “a disturbing trend of about 450 (anti-Hindu) attacks per year over the past 8 years.” He urged to avoid over-reliance on Hasina and called for “alternative approaches.” “Hindu organisations need to mobilise street power by rallying people and funds. Simultaneously, treat Bangladesh as an Islamic country and try to open channels with all stakeholders but not solely relying on the façade of peace.” (Organiser, webdesk, Sep 4, 2024). Hindutva forces were at it, in 2021, as now: During 2021 Puja days, reported The Daily Star: “101 religious sites including Hindu temples, puja mandaps and 181 shops/homes were attacked in six days, sparked by video of a Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu statue during Durga Puja (Cumilla). Six were killed, including two Hindus… Iscon was active at that time too. aljazeera.com, 12 Dec 2024 reported attacks on Hindus, blasphemy again: Akash Das, had allegedly posted an insulting comment about the Quran on Facebook, escalating tensions, particularly in Dowarabazar, 270 km from Dhaka.

 In a letter she wrote to greet President-elect Trump, Hasina was still shown as the “Prime Minister.” What does it imply? Sheltering in Delhi, she addressed virtual meetings in New York and London, blamed Yunus of genocide, asserted the interim govt would collapse. Bangladesh on Dec 23, sent a formal Note Verbale to India, seeking repatriation of Hasina for judicial proceedings, under a bilateral extradition treaty, signed in 2013 when Hasina was in power. It was later amended in 2016, providing a legal framework. There have been informal requests by Bangladesh for quite some time. Reports appeared that India is in no mood to respond, and hence the formal note now.

On Nov 26, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Bangladesh issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 45 others. ‘Dhaka Tribune’ reported Hasina is accused in over 100 cases and faces a number of charges, including ‘murder, mass killing and crimes against humanity, genocide’ over killings during the July uprising that ousted her. Others too had been likewise implicated. (First Post, December 25, 2024).

In the 1970s, “secularism” was removed from the Bangladesh Constitution, and Islam was declared the state religion of Bangladesh in 1988, under Ershad. During the 2021 protests against communal violence, calls for a secular constitution were made, including by Awami League minister Murad Hassan. The Hasina clique was quick to dismiss it, saying there was “no need at this moment.”

Hindutva is sought to be injected into foreign policy, and people see that in relation to Bangladesh, where Indian Big Business has big stakes.

Misinformation and Hindutva in foreign policy are undermining India’s friendly ties with Bangladesh.

[Ramakrishnan is a political observer who published a series on Bangladesh on countercurrents.org. This is an adaptation from that.]

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Vol 57, No. 31, Jan 26 - Feb 1, 2025