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Indian Disinformation About Bangladesh Surged in 2025, Report Finds
Disinformation about Bangladesh originating from Indian sources increased by nearly 5% in 2025, with at least 155 documented instances across various media and social platforms, according to a new report released Saturday by fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner.
The non-governmental organization’s findings highlight not only the growing volume of false information but also the troubling involvement of mainstream Indian media in its dissemination. Last year, 73 Indian news outlets published a total of 140 reports containing misleading or false information about Bangladesh, spread across 38 separate incidents.
January 2025 saw the highest concentration of disinformation, with 34 instances recorded in that month alone. While the frequency decreased in subsequent months, with May recording just four cases, Rumor Scanner documented an average of 13 pieces of disinformation monthly throughout the year.
The microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) emerged as the primary vehicle for spreading false narratives, accounting for 81% of all documented cases. Of the 155 total instances of disinformation, 126 circulated through various X accounts. Facebook followed as the second most utilized platform, with 54 instances, while YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok were also employed to spread falsehoods.
“When over 80% of the identified disinformation in a single year is concentrated on one platform, it signals not just a statistic but a structural trend—an organized effort to create and disseminate a specific narrative,” the report stated.
Perhaps most concerning was the nature of the disinformation itself. Nearly 58% of the false information (91 instances) was communal in nature, potentially inflaming religious tensions. Indian sources circulated at least 85 communal falsehoods on X alone last year.
Major Indian media outlets, including NDTV, The Times of India, Zee News, WION, India Today, Hindustan Times, News18, TV9, ABP, and Mirror Now, were implicated in spreading communal falsehoods about Bangladesh in at least 10 incidents, according to Rumor Scanner’s analysis.
The satellite news channel “Aajtak Bangla” topped the list in terms of disinformation volume, spreading false information in 10 out of 32 incidents analyzed. This represents a concerning rise, as the channel ranked fourth on the same list in 2024.
One particularly widespread case of misinformation occurred following the July 9 murder of Lal Chand (also known as Sohag), a scrap dealer in Dhaka’s Mitford area. At least 27 Indian media outlets falsely claimed Sohag was Hindu—a complete fabrication that nonetheless received extensive coverage across Indian media.
Other notable incidents included 16 Indian outlets spreading disinformation in December about James’ concert in Faridpur, and 12 outlets propagating false claims in June regarding the revocation of recognition for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other national leaders as freedom fighters.
The report’s methodology involved analyzing data from fact-checks published on the Rumor Scanner website throughout 2025. Each verified instance of disinformation was systematically collected and stored in a dedicated database for analysis, with the findings presented through infographics and written content. Expert insights from both Bangladesh and India were also incorporated to provide context.
Rumor Scanner emphasized that their findings likely represent only a fraction of the actual disinformation landscape, as their analysis includes only verifiable claims that underwent formal fact-checking. Many other instances may have escaped scrutiny, suggesting the actual scale of the problem could be significantly larger.
The report comes amid growing concerns about cross-border information warfare in South Asia and raises questions about the role of social media platforms and mainstream news outlets in facilitating the spread of false narratives that could potentially damage bilateral relations or exacerbate communal tensions.
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9 Comments
This report on the surge of Indian disinformation about Bangladesh is quite concerning. It’s troubling to see mainstream Indian media outlets playing a role in spreading false narratives. We need to be vigilant about fact-checking and combating the spread of misinformation, especially across social media platforms.
While the decrease in disinformation cases from January to May 2025 is somewhat encouraging, the overall trend is still deeply concerning. Sustained vigilance and long-term solutions are needed to address the root causes of this problem.
I’m curious to know more about the specific tactics and narratives used by the Indian outlets in these disinformation campaigns. Understanding their modus operandi could inform more effective countermeasures and help prevent future incidents.
The high concentration of disinformation in January 2025 is particularly concerning. I wonder what specific events or political developments may have driven this spike in false reporting. A deeper analysis of the motivations and actors behind these campaigns could shed more light on the problem.
It’s disheartening to see the prominent role of social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), in amplifying disinformation. Platform companies need to take stronger action to curb the spread of false narratives and promote media literacy among users.
Absolutely. Social media companies must be held accountable for the content on their platforms and take proactive steps to identify and remove coordinated disinformation campaigns.
It’s alarming to see the scale of disinformation coming from India targeting Bangladesh. This highlights the need for stronger cross-border cooperation on media integrity and fact-checking efforts. Disinformation can have real-world consequences, so addressing this issue should be a priority.
Agreed, this is a complex geopolitical issue that requires a nuanced response. Fact-based journalism and international collaboration will be crucial to counter the spread of harmful narratives.
This report highlights the importance of cross-border fact-checking and collaboration between media organizations and civil society groups. Pooling resources and expertise could help combat the transnational nature of these disinformation efforts.