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A coordinated misinformation campaign targeting Bangladesh with false claims of religious violence has been uncovered by U.S. researchers, just as the South Asian nation prepares for its first parliamentary election since the dramatic ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
The Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) has traced more than 700,000 social media posts across X (formerly Twitter) between August 2024 and January 2026, all propagating allegations of a “Hindu genocide” in Bangladesh. The research group found that over 90% of this content originated from India, with the remainder coming from Hindu nationalist networks operating in Western countries.
“We have tracked coordinated Indian disinformation online, falsely alleging large-scale violence against Hindus in Bangladesh,” said Raqib Naik, who heads the research organization. The campaign appears to rely on coordinated amplification rather than organic engagement, suggesting an orchestrated effort to spread these narratives.
The timing is particularly significant as Bangladesh prepares for its first national election since the student-led uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina from power in 2024. Hasina subsequently fled to neighboring India, where she has received protection from its Hindu nationalist-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Official data contradicts the widespread claims of systematic religious violence. Police figures released in January revealed that of 645 reported incidents involving minority communities in 2025, only 12% had any sectarian motivation. This is particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where approximately 10% of the population is non-Muslim, with Hindus forming the largest minority group.
The misinformation campaign has grown increasingly sophisticated, with researchers noting a troubling rise in AI-generated content. Fact-checking teams have documented hundreds of fabricated videos circulating across major platforms including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Most of these AI-generated materials lack any disclosure about their artificial origin, making them particularly deceptive to casual viewers.
Digital rights experts in Bangladesh point to the increasing accessibility of free AI tools as a key factor enabling the rapid production of convincing false content. “The technology has democratized disinformation,” said a Dhaka-based digital rights activist who requested anonymity. “Anyone with basic technical knowledge can now create what appears to be compelling evidence of events that never occurred.”
The interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has acknowledged the severity of the problem. Earlier this year, Yunus described a “flood of misinformation” surrounding the election while appealing to the United Nations human rights office for assistance in combating the issue.
Bangladesh’s response has included the formation of a specialized unit to address false online content, according to reporting by Agence France-Presse. The Election Commission has also stated it is collaborating with major technology platforms to flag and counter harmful material, though officials admit the sheer volume of misleading content makes complete containment virtually impossible.
The CSOH findings highlight the increasing vulnerability of emerging democracies to foreign influence operations, particularly during sensitive political transitions. With India being Bangladesh’s most influential neighbor, the alleged origin of this misinformation raises questions about potential geopolitical motivations behind the campaign.
Regional analysts suggest the false narratives could be aimed at undermining the interim government’s legitimacy or influencing voter behavior in favor of candidates perceived as friendlier to Indian interests. The situation underscores the complex relationship between the two South Asian nations, especially following Hasina’s flight to India after her removal from power.
As election day approaches, Bangladesh faces the dual challenge of ensuring a free and fair democratic process while combating a sophisticated misinformation ecosystem designed to sow religious division in a country still healing from political upheaval.
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5 Comments
While I’m not surprised to see this kind of coordinated misinformation campaign, it’s still deeply concerning. The potential impact on Bangladesh’s upcoming elections is worrying. Rigorous fact-checking and transparency will be crucial to counter these attempts at manipulation.
Interesting, this seems like a concerning case of cross-border political influence operations. I wonder what the motivations are behind these efforts to spread misinformation about Bangladesh’s elections. It’s crucial that voters have access to accurate, impartial information when making their choices.
Yes, I agree. Misinformation campaigns like this can seriously undermine the integrity of democratic processes. I hope the relevant authorities are able to investigate this thoroughly and take appropriate action.
This is a troubling development. Spreading false narratives about religious violence is a common tactic used to sow division and discord. I hope the study’s findings lead to greater scrutiny and accountability around cross-border influence operations targeting elections.
Absolutely. Protecting the democratic process from foreign interference should be a top priority. Voters deserve to have access to truthful, impartial information when making their choices.