Dhaka: Fact-checking body Rumor Scanner in an investigation has debunked a video shared on social media claiming Muslims are attacking a Hindu event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a report published on the Rumor Scanner website revealed that the circulated video is not of a scene of Muslims attacking a Hindu event, but rather it is a scene of an attack on a Milad Mahfil, Doa, and Sama Qawwali event of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) in Mymensingh. The investigation found no reliable evidence supporting the controversial claim made in a Facebook post.
The inquiry further uncovered a Facebook post by Salman Sadiq Shawon on January 9, which included a video similar to the one shared with the misleading claim. The caption of the post detailed that the incident occurred during the 119th Milad Mahfil, Doa, and Sama Qawwali program of Hazrat Shahsufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) at Thanaghat in Mymensingh. It described how the police intervened during the event, leading to an agitated response from the attendees, although the audience did not harm anyone.
Additionally, a news report on January 9 from MyTV titled ‘Attack and Vandalism on Qawali Program in Mymensingh’ corroborated the details. The report stated that over a hundred people attacked the venue, vandalizing the stage, sound system, and chairs. Artist Mizan Baula, who was conducting the program, expressed that such an incident was unprecedented during the event’s 45-year history.
Kotwali Model Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam Khan confirmed that students from Jamia Faizur Rahman Madrasa were involved in the vandalism but noted that the situation was controlled by police intervention. The motive behind the attack is under investigation, and local residents have condemned the act, demanding accountability.
Further reports from the Daily Ittefaq and Prothom Alo confirmed the incident details, with the latter noting that the district administration imposed Section 144 in the shrine area following the attack. Thus, the video claiming a Muslim attack on a Hindu ceremony is false, as it pertains to a different event entirely.