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
Bangladeshi man asking shopkeepers to boycott Indian products as a part of a recent unofficial campaign.
Fact
Video from February 2024, predating the recent political turmoil in the country.
Amid reports of atrocities on the Hindu community in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s exit, a video showing a man visiting different shops asking their owners to boycott Indian-made products and promote Bangladeshi goods is going viral on social media. Multiple users claimed that Bangladesh has started its “unofficial campaign to boycott Indian products.” A few others alleged that the video shows the aftermath of formation of the new government in Bangladesh. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old, and unrelated to the current situation in the crisis-hit country.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Crowded Ferries Falsely Shared As Hindus Fleeing Bangladesh
Fact Check/Verification
We conducted multiple keyword searches on Facebook which led us to a post by user Sanjoy Mazumder Shaju, dated April 19, 2024, carrying the same video. Another post from March 20 also featured the viral footage, confirming that it does not show the aftermath of the recent political crisis in Bangladesh.
Further, we found that the video was shared on a YouTube channel Tarek’s Time on February 22, 2024. “Going to the shop, I am warning not to keep Indian products (translated from Bengali via Google),” its title stated.
The channel’s description identified the man as Md Tarek Rahman of Gono Odhikar Parishad. On skimming through the channel we found multiple such videos, predating Sheikh Hasina’s exit, showing Rahman distributing pamphlets, and calling for the “boycott of Indian products.”
Also Read: Viral Visual Showing Dire State Of ‘Hindu Child In Bangladesh’ Is Actually From Gaza
We then skimmed through Rahman’s Facebook profile and found him to be the Joint Member Secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad- a political party in Bangladesh.
Reportedly, a section of the Gono Odhikar Parishad called for the “boycott of Indian products” in February this year.
Notably, a massive “India Out” campaign was launched in Bangladesh following the re-election of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister in January this year, alleging Indian government’s interference in Bangladesh politics.
Newschecker has contacted Rahman for his comments on the video. The copy will be updated on receiving the same.
Also Read: Viral Video Showing Plight Of Hindu Women In Bangladesh Is Actually Staged
Conclusion
Hence, the viral video of a Bangladeshi man asking people to boycott Indian products is old, and unrelated to the current situation in the country.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Facebook Post By Sanjoy Mazumder Shaju, Dated April 19, 2024
Facebook Post By Manik Chy, Dated March 20, 2024
YouTube Video By Tarek’s Time, Dated February 22, 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.
