Fact Check: Videos Falsely Linked to West Bengal Elections Actually Show Earlier Bangladesh Protests

An investigation has revealed that videos circulating on social media purportedly showing election-related demonstrations and violence in West Bengal are actually from Bangladesh and were filmed weeks before the Indian elections began.

The misleading content consists of two separate videos that have been repurposed with false captions to suggest they depict current political unrest in the eastern Indian state. However, careful verification shows both videos originated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and capture entirely unrelated events.

The first video in question appears to show a public demonstration on New Eskaton Road in Dhaka. Geographic verification using Google Maps confirmed the location matches landmarks visible in the footage, placing it firmly in Bangladesh’s capital city rather than anywhere in West Bengal.

More significantly, the second video—which depicts a large crowd of protesters marching down a street—was initially shared on social media platforms as early as February 6th. This footage shows demonstrations at Dhaka’s Shahbag intersection, nearly two months before the circulation of claims connecting it to West Bengal’s electoral process.

According to reporting by Bangladesh-based media outlet Jago News 24, the Shahbag protests were organized in response to alleged police brutality. Demonstrators had blocked the intersection to demand justice for Sharif Osman bin Hadi, identified as a spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha movement who had reportedly died.

The timing of these videos is particularly significant as West Bengal, one of India’s most politically contentious states, is currently in the midst of its multi-phase parliamentary election process. The state has historically experienced heightened tensions during election periods, making it a ripe target for misinformation campaigns.

This case highlights a growing pattern of cross-border content being repurposed to inflame tensions during sensitive political periods. Digital forensics experts note that such misinformation often exploits linguistic and cultural similarities between neighboring regions like Bangladesh and West Bengal, where many residents speak Bengali and share cultural touchpoints.

“The recontextualization of protest footage from one country to another has become increasingly common,” said a digital media analyst who requested anonymity. “These videos are particularly effective because they show real events—just not the events they claim to represent.”

The proliferation of such misleading content poses significant challenges during India’s ongoing general elections, which are being conducted in seven phases across the country. With over 900 million eligible voters, India’s electoral process is the world’s largest democratic exercise and has increasingly become a battleground for information warfare.

Social media platforms have implemented various measures to combat election-related misinformation, including partnering with fact-checking organizations and adding labels to content that may contain misleading information. However, the speed at which such content spreads often outpaces verification efforts.

Election Commission officials have repeatedly urged voters to verify information from official sources and remain vigilant against potentially divisive content, especially videos and images that could inflame communal or political tensions.

This incident serves as a reminder for social media users to exercise critical thinking when encountering emotionally charged political content, particularly during election periods. Basic verification steps—such as checking when a video first appeared online or identifying distinct landmarks—can help individuals avoid spreading misinformation.

The investigation concludes unequivocally that these videos have no connection to the current electoral process in West Bengal, representing instead unrelated political demonstrations that occurred in Bangladesh weeks before India’s election schedule was even announced.