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Misinformation Spreads as Videos Falsely Claim Bangladeshi Immigrants Fleeing West Bengal Post-Election
In the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in West Bengal, social media has been flooded with videos allegedly showing illegal immigrants fleeing to Bangladesh. However, fact-checking efforts have revealed these claims to be misleading, with the videos either being misrepresented or taken entirely out of context.
Two videos in particular have gained significant traction across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users claiming they show Bangladeshi nationals hastily returning to their homeland following the BJP’s electoral success. Detailed investigation reveals both videos have been falsely characterized.
The first viral video shows hundreds of people walking down a road carrying bags, with many wearing kurta-pyjamas and skullcaps. One social media user claimed, “Following the triumphant victory of the BJP in the West Bengal elections, a pronounced trend has begun to emerge. All Bangladeshi Islamists are now rapidly repatriating to their homeland with considerable alacrity.”
This narrative quickly unraveled when fact-checkers identified a young man in the video explaining that the footage actually showed attendees gathering for the Biswa Ijtema, a major Muslim congregation in Puinan, Hooghly district. The Statesman newspaper had reported on January 3 that this religious gathering took place in Dadpur, Hooghly, West Bengal – one of the world’s largest Islamic congregations that typically attracts between 5 to 10 million participants from across the globe.
Further investigation led to the discovery of an Instagram post dated January 5 by Deep Ghosh, the same young man seen in the video, who confirmed the footage showed crowds headed to the Biswa Ijtema event. This evidence conclusively proves the video has no connection to Bangladeshi migrants allegedly fleeing after the BJP’s electoral victory.
The second viral video, which shows people wearing skullcaps gathered with bags, was shared with the caption: “Heavy crowds at railway stations in West Bengal…As soon as they saw the election results, the infiltrators themselves started fleeing Bengal for Bangladesh.” This claim, too, proved to be fabricated.
Reverse image searches revealed that this video originated from Bangladesh itself. A longer version was shared on a Bangladeshi Facebook account called “Launch Capture” on November 30, 2025. According to the original post, the footage shows worshippers boarding boats after attending the Charmonai Mahfil, a religious gathering in Bangladesh.
Geolocation analysis of architectural elements visible in the video confirmed it was filmed near the Al-Karim Jame Mosque in the vicinity of Rashidia Kamil Madrasah, a prominent Islamic educational institution in Charmonai, Bangladesh. Regional news reports corroborate that Charmonai Darbar Sharif is a popular religious site in Bangladesh where devotees regularly gather for the annual Charmonai Mahfil.
The circulation of these misleading videos highlights the growing challenge of misinformation following politically charged events. In the polarized atmosphere after elections, such content can exacerbate tensions and fuel divisive narratives about migration, religious identity, and citizenship – sensitive issues in the India-Bangladesh border region.
Social media platforms have struggled to contain the spread of such misinformation, despite policies designed to flag misleading content. This episode underscores the importance of critical media literacy and the need for thorough fact-checking before sharing potentially inflammatory content.
As political developments continue to unfold in West Bengal, experts urge citizens to verify information through reliable sources and remain vigilant against misleading narratives that could further divide communities already navigating complex social and political realities.
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8 Comments
This fact check highlights the need for diligent verification of claims, especially those that align with particular political narratives. While the viral videos may have been compelling, the investigation revealed they were either misrepresented or taken out of context. Fact-checking is essential for upholding the truth.
Interesting fact check on the viral videos claiming BJP’s win in West Bengal. It’s important to verify claims and not spread misinformation, even if it aligns with certain political narratives. Fact-checking is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.
Absolutely, fact-checking is essential to combat the spread of false narratives. Relying on credible sources and verifying claims before sharing is the responsible way to engage with political news and events.
This highlights the importance of critically evaluating social media content, especially around sensitive political issues. While viral videos can be compelling, it’s crucial to corroborate the facts before drawing conclusions or amplifying misinformation. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligence.
Well said. Social media has made it all too easy for misinformation to spread rapidly. Fact-checking efforts help keep the public informed and prevent the proliferation of falsehoods, which can have real consequences.
It’s concerning to see how easily misinformation can gain traction on social media, especially around high-stakes political events. This fact check serves as a important reminder to approach viral content with caution and scrutinize the claims before sharing. Maintaining the integrity of information is critical.
The proliferation of misinformation on social media is a concerning trend that undermines public discourse and the democratic process. This fact check shows the importance of verifying claims, even if they align with one’s own political leanings. Maintaining objectivity and relying on credible sources is crucial.
Absolutely. It’s easy for our biases to lead us to accept information that reinforces our existing beliefs. But fact-checking and critical thinking are vital to ensure we’re not inadvertently spreading falsehoods, no matter how compelling they may seem.