Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
First photo of Sheikh Hasina since her arrival in India shows her crying.
Fact
Old photograph from Hasina’s visit to a vandalised metro station in Bangladesh.
Following weeks of massive uprising in the country, Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and fled to India earlier this week paving way for the formation of an interim government to be headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
While social media platforms are flooded with unverified visuals of violence and vandalism in Bangladesh, a photograph showing Hasina, seemingly breaking down, has caught the attention of the users. Those sharing the image claimed it to be the first photograph of the ousted leader since her arrival in India. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Image Of Defaced Rabindranath Tagore Bust Linked To 2024 Bangladesh Protests
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the viral photo of Hasina led us to an AFP report, dated July 25, 2024. Carrying a slightly different version of the viral image, it detailed, “Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wept on Thursday as she surveyed the destruction wrought by days of deadly unrest, as student leaders weighed the future of the protests that sparked the disorder.”
“Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (C) weeps while she visits a metro station in Mirpur vandalised by students during the anti-quota protests,” the photo was captioned. The same was credited to AFP.
We also found an Aaj Tak Bangla report from July 26, 2024, featuring the viral image, and stating, “Several metro stations in Bangladesh were vandalised in the anti-quota movement. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Mirpur 10 metro station premises on Thursday. Seeing the devastation, Hasina could not hold back her tears and burst into tears. He held a press conference standing in front of the broken glass of the metro station (translated from Bengali via Google) “
Detailing her visit to the metro station, a Telegraph report stated, “A teary-eyed Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the people of Bangladesh to judge those involved in vandalism and arson of national assets during last week’s quota reform movement, the plea followed a visit by the Prime Minister to Mirpur-10 Metro station in Dhaka…”
“What kind of mentality leads them to destroy facilities that make people’s lives easier? Dhaka city was clogged with traffic. The Metro rail offered respite. I cannot accept the destruction of this transport facility made with modern technology,” she was quoted as saying during an interaction with the media during the visit.
Reportedly, Hasina landed at the Hindon Airport, Indian Air Force base, only on August 5.
Also Read: 2022 Visuals Of Sri Lankan Protesters At President’s Residence Falsely Shared As Bangladesh
Conclusion
Hence, an old image from Bangladesh has been shared as the first photograph of Sheikh Hasina since fleeing her country, and landing in India.
Result: False
Sources
Report By AFP, Dated July 25, 2024
Report By Aaj Tak Bangla, Dated July 26, 2024
Report By Telegraph, Dated July 26, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
