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Viral Bangladesh Teacher Protest Video Falsely Linked to Babri Masjid Controversy
A video showing police using tear gas and water cannons on protesters has been circulating across social media platforms with misleading claims. The footage, which shows authorities dispersing crowds with force, has been falsely attributed to supposed clashes between police and Babri Masjid supporters in West Bengal.
An investigation by fact-checking organization Vishvas News has revealed the video actually depicts a teachers’ protest in Bangladesh from November 9, and has no connection whatsoever to the Babri Masjid issue currently generating controversy in India.
The misleading video was shared by Instagram user aanujj79 on December 7 with the provocative caption “The Babri Masjid has been rebuilt, now we have peace,” garnering significant engagement. The user’s account, which boasts over 70,000 followers, appears motivated by specific ideological leanings, according to investigators.
Digital verification techniques, including frame extraction and reverse image searches, traced the footage back to its original source. Bangladeshi social media user Jahedul Islam had posted the identical video on November 9, though without providing specific details about the event captured in the footage.
Further investigation uncovered multiple Bangladeshi news reports confirming the video’s true context. According to Chandpurkantha24, a Bangladeshi news outlet, the incident shows government school teachers demonstrating nationwide on November 9, demanding improved salaries and other benefits. When protesters attempted to march toward Shahbag to press their demands, police intervened forcefully.
“Several teachers were injured in the police lathi charge. Tear gas shells, sound grenades, and hot water from water cannons were also used to disperse the protesting teachers,” the outlet reported, with published images matching frames from the viral video.
The Daily Times of Bangladesh provided additional details, reporting that approximately 150 teachers were injured during the confrontation. According to their coverage, a government primary school teacher who lost consciousness after a sound grenade exploded during the protest later died from injuries sustained in the incident.
While there have been genuine tensions surrounding the Babri Masjid issue in India, the video has no connection to these events. According to a report published by Dainik Jagran on December 6, suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir did lay a foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, West Bengal. In response, a foundation stone for a Ram Temple was reportedly laid in Baharampur.
However, Dainik Jagran’s chief reporter in Kolkata, JK Bajpai, confirmed to fact-checkers that there were no incidents of police using water cannons or conducting lathi charges against any Babri Masjid supporters in West Bengal. He categorically stated the viral video does not depict any incident from Kolkata.
The false attribution of the Bangladesh teachers’ protest video to the Babri Masjid controversy appears designed to inflame religious tensions in India, particularly as the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute remains a politically sensitive issue that has previously triggered sectarian violence.
This case highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms, where footage from one event can be easily repurposed with false claims to provoke emotional responses or reinforce existing biases. It underscores the importance of critical media literacy and fact-checking before sharing potentially inflammatory content online.
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6 Comments
Misleading videos like this one can sow division and distort public understanding of important issues. I’m glad to see fact-checkers working to correct the record and provide accurate information.
It’s concerning to see how easily false narratives can spread on social media. This case shows the importance of media literacy and verifying claims before sharing content, even if it aligns with one’s views.
This highlights the need for robust fact-checking, especially with viral social media content. Verifying the origins and details of a video is crucial to avoid propagating false narratives.
Absolutely. Sharing unverified information, even with good intentions, can have real consequences. Fact-checking should be the first step before engaging with or amplifying any viral content.
This is a good example of why we need to be cautious about taking videos or images at face value, especially when they touch on sensitive political and social topics. Fact-checking is crucial to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Interesting to see how misinformation can spread quickly online, especially around sensitive political topics. It’s important to verify the source and context of videos before sharing them.