Misinformation as a Weapon: The Struggle for Stability in Bangladesh

The political landscape of Bangladesh underwent a seismic shift following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5th, 2024. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period defined by political uncertainty, heightened communal tensions, and an unprecedented wave of disinformation. As the nation grappled with this transition, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faced the formidable challenge of stabilizing the country amidst a storm of misinformation. The destabilizing influence of Indian media outlets emerged as a key factor, as their coverage frequently misrepresented events, exaggerated incidents, and fabricated narratives.

This period of heightened misinformation underscores the vulnerability of Bangladesh’s political and social fabric to external and internal manipulation. It also highlights the urgent need for robust mechanisms to counter disinformation and foster national unity during times of political transition. As Bangladesh navigates this challenging chapter, the actions of the interim government, along with the resilience of its people and the role of international partners, will be crucial in determining the nation’s trajectory toward stability and inclusivity.

Misinformation as a Tool for Destabilization

The Indian media's coverage of post-Hasina Bangladesh was characterized by a pattern of exaggeration, fabrication, and biased reporting. This approach served to undermine the interim government, fuel communal tensions, and damage the relationship between India and Bangladesh. Indian media outlets have come under heavy criticism for their role in spreading misinformation about the situation in Bangladesh. Dubbed “Godi media”—a pliant press loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi—these outlets have been accused of exaggerating incidents of violence against minorities and distorting facts to serve political agendas.

Here are some specific ways in which Indian media misrepresented events:

Exaggeration of Violence Against Minorities: Indian media outlets portrayed the situation in Bangladesh as a genocide against minorities, particularly Hindus, significantly exaggerating the scale and severity of the violence. They created a narrative of widespread religious persecution, while many incidents were driven by personal disputes or land conflicts rather than deep-seated communal animosity.

Fabrication of Events:

• The case of the murdered lawyer: Indian media falsely claimed that the murdered lawyer, Saiful Islam, was the attorney of Chinmoy Krishna Das, and was killed by Islamist terrorists. They then shifted the narrative to claim Saiful was killed during police firing on protesters, mostly Hindus, who had gathered outside the court. In reality, Saiful Islam was killed by a Hindu mob.
• Burning of Mashrafe Bin Mortuza's house: Some Indian media outlets falsely reported that the house of Liton Das, a Hindu cricketer, was burned after Hasina's departure, when in reality, it was the house of Mashrafe Bin Mortuza, a Muslim cricketer and member of parliament, that was burned.
• The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das: Indian media falsely portrayed the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk, as a targeted attack on Hindu leadership and religious persecution, ignoring the complex political and legal context. They omitted the fact that he was suspended from ISKCON for misconduct involving children. They also failed to report that Das was arrested for raising a Hindu flag above the national flag.

Omission of Context and Facts:

• Indian media failed to report on acts of solidarity where Muslim volunteers protected Hindu communities from violence.
• They omitted the news that Chinmoy Krishna Das was suspended from ISKCON and faced serious allegations of misconduct involving children.
• They failed to mention the complex political and legal reasons behind Das's arrest.

Misrepresentation of Motives: The Indian media often attributed violence to religious persecution, ignoring the political and personal motivations behind many incidents. They presented events as religiously motivated when investigations revealed they were often politically or personally driven.

Amplification of Disinformation: Indian media amplified false narratives spread on social media, further escalating tensions. They repeated rumors and unverified claims, contributing to the general climate of misinformation.

• Biased Reporting: The media displayed a clear bias against the interim government, portraying it as unstable and unable to protect minorities. This bias was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine the government's legitimacy. The media's narratives seemed designed to create communal tensions and gain political advantage for the ruling BJP in India.
• Ignoring Positive Developments: Indian media coverage also failed to report on the fact that the Durga Puja festival concluded without major violence and ignored efforts by the Yunus government to promote unity and protect minority rights.

Indian media coverage of post-Hasina Bangladesh was characterized by a pattern of exaggeration, fabrication, and biased reporting that misrepresented the reality on the ground. This approach served to undermine the interim government, fuel communal tensions, and damage the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The dissemination of such narratives appears to be a deliberate strategy aimed at discrediting the interim government in Bangladesh and inflaming communal tensions. According to Yunus’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, this misinformation campaign is being conducted on an "industrial level".

The Indian media’s actions are seen by some as an attempt to deflect from India’s own issues with minority rights. It is also believed that a section of the Indian media has been working with the Indian deep state to undermine the interim government, which replaced Sheikh Hasina's regime. Some in Bangladesh believe the Indian media had previously worked to legitimize Hasina and her regime, and now that she has fallen, they are attempting to undermine the new government.

These media narratives have had a negative impact, straining relations between India and Bangladesh and creating a climate of fear and insecurity, particularly among the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.

The Indian media's portrayal of events in Bangladesh has significantly strained bilateral relations between the two countries. The spread of misinformation and exaggerated accounts of violence against minorities in Bangladesh by Indian media outlets has created a climate of distrust and animosity.

Here's how the Indian media's actions have negatively impacted bilateral relations:

• Erosion of Trust: The Indian media's biased reporting and the dissemination of false narratives have led to a breakdown in trust between the two nations. The exaggeration of violence and misrepresentation of events have been perceived as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the interim government in Bangladesh and undermine its legitimacy.
• Increased Tensions: The inflammatory nature of the Indian media's coverage has fueled communal tensions both within Bangladesh and across its borders. By focusing on minority rights issues and exaggerating incidents, the media has contributed to a sense of insecurity among the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and has also stirred anti-India sentiments within the country.
• Strained Diplomatic Ties: The misinformation campaign has caused significant uproar in Bangladesh and has led to a deterioration in the relationship between the two countries. The perception of India as interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs, coupled with the biased media coverage, has damaged the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
• Undermining Regional Harmony: The Indian media's sensationalism and biased reporting have been criticized for undermining regional harmony and weakening India's credibility as a regional leader. The focus on creating communal tensions for political gain has been detrimental to fostering a stable and mutually respectful partnership between India and Bangladesh.
• Attacks on Bangladeshi Diplomatic Missions: The misinformation campaign has had tangible negative consequences, such as the attacks and vandalism against the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India. Such incidents have further escalated tensions and strained bilateral relations.

Many in Bangladesh believe that a section of the Indian media has been working with the Indian deep state to undermine the interim government. The Indian media is accused of having previously legitimized the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina and is now attempting to discredit the new government. This perception of interference and bias has exacerbated the already strained relationship between the two countries. The Indian media's portrayal of events in Bangladesh is seen as a continuation of this agenda.

Yunus Government's Response

The Yunus government, which came into power after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, faced significant challenges in addressing post-Hasina tensions, particularly those fueled by disinformation and communal unrest. The government's actions to address these tensions included:

Efforts to Counter Disinformation:

• The Yunus government actively refuted false claims and rumors circulating on social media through its press wing. For example, Yunus's assistant press secretary, Apurbo Jahangir, used Facebook to counter false reports of protests outside Yunus’s residence.
• The government also acknowledged the existence of a "discrepancy between the reality and the news published by foreign media," particularly regarding attacks on religious minorities.
• Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Yunus, stated that many of the events reported in the Indian media were exaggerated and were part of a deliberate disinformation campaign.

Commitment to Religious Freedom: The interim government affirmed its dedication to upholding "freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom of assembly for all religious institutions". This commitment was an attempt to reassure minority communities and foster national unity.

Seeking National Unity: The Yunus government called upon religious leaders of all faiths to unite and address the issues of violence against minorities. This effort was aimed at bridging communal divides and fostering a sense of security for all citizens.

Downplaying Violence: The government, at times, downplayed the scale of violence, suggesting that only a few homes and shops had been slightly damaged. This approach may have been an attempt to project an image of stability and control, though it was criticized for not fully acknowledging the extent of the crisis.

Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Local authorities, including the army and police, were working to restore a “sense of security” for the region’s Hindus. This included deploying security forces in areas affected by violence.

Meetings with Religious Leaders: Interim leader Muhammad Yunus met with religious leaders in an effort to foster unity and address concerns about violence against minorities.

Addressing Specific Incidents: When instances of violence occurred, such as the attacks on Hindu homes in Monglargaon, local authorities, including the army and police, worked to restore a sense of security.

However, the Yunus government faced significant challenges:

• The lack of a strong political base made it difficult for the government to counter the deep-rooted disinformation and propaganda campaigns. The interim government, being a post-revolution government, lacked a robust political force to back it up.
• The government was also hampered by the structural nature of the propaganda, especially the organized disinformation campaigns on social media, which made it difficult to maintain stability.
• Disinformation campaigns continued to spread rumors about sensitive topics like minority issues, murders, and calls for the resignation of the Yunus government, further destabilizing the political atmosphere.
• Some of the government's own actions were criticized, such as the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, which was seen by some as a heavy-handed approach.
• The downplaying of attacks on Hindus as being only against those affiliated with the Awami League and carried out by “miscreants,” rather than mobs driven by anti-Hindu sentiments, was also criticized.

Despite these efforts, the political atmosphere in Dhaka was described as “rumor night” due to the rampant spread of disinformation, highlighting the challenges the Yunus government faced in maintaining stability.

Consequences and Implications

The misinformation campaign had several negative consequences:

• Increased Communal Tensions: The spread of false information fueled communal tensions, creating a climate of fear and insecurity among minority communities.
• Damaged International Relations: The biased reporting from Indian media damaged the relationship between India and Bangladesh.
• Erosion of Trust: The constant barrage of disinformation eroded public trust in the government and media.
• Political Instability: The spread of rumors and disinformation made it difficult for the Yunus government to establish stability.

Challenges of the Interim Government

The interim government under Muhammad Yunus is navigating treacherous waters. It lacks a strong political base and faces relentless disinformation campaigns from the ousted Awami League. The government is also tasked with combating propaganda, rebuilding national unity, and addressing the grievances of marginalized communities.

Awami League’s Role

The Awami League has been actively spreading misinformation and inciting unrest to destabilize the Yunus administration. Their efforts include manipulating facts to frame the new government as ineffective and illegitimate, further fueling communal tensions.

Regional Dynamics and India-Bangladesh Relations

The ousting of Sheikh Hasina has disrupted the historically close ties between Bangladesh and India. India’s strategic interests in the region, bolstered during Hasina’s tenure, have been thrown into disarray. Bangladesh’s alignment with India on security concerns and transit access has now given way to a more independent stance under Yunus’s leadership. Indian media’s disinformation campaigns reflect attempts to regain influence in a changing regional landscape.

The Way Forward

To counter misinformation and restore stability, Bangladesh must adopt a multifaceted approach:

1. Strengthening Media Literacy: Implement nationwide digital literacy programs to equip citizens with the skills to discern credible information from propaganda.
2. Enhancing Fact-Checking Mechanisms: Establish robust fact-checking institutions to quickly identify and debunk false narratives.
3. Monitoring Social Media: Collaborate with tech companies to monitor and regulate harmful content while respecting freedom of expression.
4. Fostering Inter-Community Dialogue: Promote initiatives that encourage understanding and reconciliation among different communities to rebuild trust and social harmony.
5. Regional Diplomacy: Engage in constructive dialogue with India to address mutual concerns and recalibrate bilateral relations based on mutual respect.

The post-Hasina period in Bangladesh was significantly impacted by a well-organized misinformation campaign, particularly by the Indian media. This campaign exacerbated communal tensions, undermined the legitimacy of the interim government, and strained international relations. Despite the efforts of the Yunus government to counter the misinformation and promote stability, the challenges posed by this disinformation campaign highlighted the vulnerability of the political landscape in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s path forward is fraught with challenges, but it is not insurmountable. By addressing misinformation head-on, fostering unity, and prioritizing the well-being of all citizens, the nation can emerge stronger and more resilient. The interim government’s efforts, coupled with international support and regional cooperation, will be crucial in navigating this period of transition and ensuring a stable and inclusive future for Bangladesh.