Decoding the hype and propaganda myth regarding Bangladesh’s ‘minority persecution’

Disinformation and propaganda have developed into powerful tools for accomplishing political, military, and ideological objectives in the era of digital media.

Deliberate and focused misinformation efforts and propaganda have been used to malign the interim administration in the eyes of the global community in relation to Bangladesh's current internal political issues.

The "false minority persecution narrative targeting Hindu minority" and "Akhanda Bharat hype" are being used to undermine the efforts of the interim administration and destabilize the country. Numerous arguments, objections, and hypes have been made about the outbreak of religious violence against Hindu minority in Bangladesh against the backdrop of recent political unrest, the regime transition, and the establishment of the caretaker administration.

Something strange is going on: Indian media outlets and certain so-called Bangladeshi minority groups are portraying Bangladesh as a hostile state from which Hindus are constantly being persecuted and escaping into India. According to their propaganda, Bangladesh has descended into a case of ethnic cleansing, with Hindu minority being forcibly but covertly driven across the border. Some even went so far as to say that Hindus in Bangladesh are being tortured since the caretaker administration was formed and that the interim government has failed to create a state in which various ethnic and religious groups may live side by side.

One Indian mainstream media outlet, India Today, for example, stated in its recent article that following Sheikh Hasina's downfall, fundamentalist parties have taken control of Bangladesh and that Hindus are subjected to forced resignations and job discrimination in government positions. Some anti-Bangladeshi elements and miscreants have indulged in such misdeeds and provoked some Indian media outlets to smear campaign. 

The majority of them cite attacks on Hindu minority residents after the August 5th transition, the recent dismissal of 252 trainee Sub Inspectors (SI) from Bangladesh Police, including 91 Hindu SIs, for their unruly and undisciplined behavior, and the ongoing decline of the Hindu minority population in Bangladesh as proof of those propaganda claims. These incidents are used to show that Bangladesh is a pervasive place for Hindu persecution. However, an impartial assessment of such claims, particularly through thorough analytical and comprehensive analysis, related systemic efforts, and the larger political environment, renders them mostly without merit.

Since there are no fundamentalists in the administration, the report is completely false and without merit. The majority of the government's members are well-known around the world. It is important to note that, in accordance with the government job regulations, action has been taken due to their carelessness, negligence to discipline and unprofessionalism. In this instance, no one's religious affiliation was revealed. However, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown, political activists from some political parties have allegedly damaged hundreds of Hindu homes and businesses. However, minorities are being used as cover for oppressive propaganda by defeated groups. 

The ethnic minority has even been tortured by some miscreants in the past. For instance, minority leaders and civil society members claimed that members of the then-ruling Awami League were responsible for attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, according to a story published on October 18, 2021, by the Indian media site Swarajyamag. On October 23, 2023, supporters of Awami League MP Bahar assaulted a minority community in Cumilla.

There have been instances where the minority group, especially Hindus, have been attacked since the country's political landscape changed on August 5th of this year. However, false information about these instances was widely disseminated on social media and in certain Indian mainstream media. They created inflated death toll numbers. In a fact check on August 7, the German media source DW even claimed that old pictures of rape and brutal attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus had reappeared online amid current riots in Bangladesh. The veracity of these widely circulated statements is exposed by a DW fact check.

On August 9, Hindus protested over claimed attacks by holding a demonstration in Shah Bagh, the capital. However, political activists made a significant appearance during the demonstration. Thus, the motivation is obvious: a plot to overthrow the interim administration. Minority communities are aided by some vested groups and vested political parties. They have previously repressed dissent and assaulted minority dwellings. After making several arrests, it was discovered that they were Awami League employees.

Its smear campaign against the caretaker government includes the suspicious anti-state activities of these minority groups, sabotage by some foreign powers, and the playful portrayal of isolated law and order incidents in Bangladesh as alleged "persecution" of minorities by Indian media outlets. This is a desperate attempt to politicize the incidents, draw attention to the artificially created persecution, and establish their "minority persecution narrative." These lies are categorically rejected by Bangladesh and the world community, and they will not in any way justify their illusion of creating "Akhanda Bharat."

All minority rights and security are treated with the utmost dignity and respect by the interim administration. These flagrant falsehoods are just one more example of the classic targeted misinformation campaign that will not succeed. The emphasis that the Dr. Yunus-led administration places on the rights of minorities is known across the world. The vision of the caretaker administration in Bangladesh is evident in their determination to act quickly to stop attacks on minorities. Dr. Yunus rightly asked Indian media to visit Bangladesh and report with facts during the phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the interim government's Chief advisor.

Bangladesh is a multicultural nation where individuals from all ethnic backgrounds coexist. All Bangladeshis are guaranteed equal rights under the country's constitution, and the government takes this commitment seriously, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination. It is true that the government of Bangladesh makes every effort to preserve intercommunal peace in the country. The entrenched organizations in Bangladesh who are driven by foreign connections should avoid their malice and see this individual as an equal. The Indian media outlets lack the qualifications to even claim that the government of their nation is protecting minorities.

The perpetrators of the Babri Mosque's destruction and defilement, the wholesale murder of thousands of Muslims in Gujarat, the frequent lynchings of mobs, and the other hate crimes committed against minorities are simply without a foothold. Indian media outlets would be better off concentrating on the unfolding human tragedy at home and shielding India's minorities from "Saffron terror" than pretending to care about minorities abroad.

The administration should be vigilant and cognizant of the fact that these interested quarters have grown active and may attempt to undermine the government by casting doubt on community peace, as both foreign and domestic conspirators are usually evasive. At all costs, patriots and countrymen must put an end to this menace of destroying community cohesion.

Sent- In by mohammad Ashaduzzaman

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