False Farewell: Rumors of Tofail Ahmed’s Death Debunked

A false claim regarding the death of veteran politician and member of the Awami League’s Advisory Council, Bir Muktijoddha and former Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, has been circulating widely on social media.

The claim gained traction following a Facebook post made at 8:36 AM on Wednesday, May 28, from a page named ‘Bangladesh Awami League’. The caption of the post read:
"Shok Barta. Borshiyan rajnaitibid 71 er Muktijuddher ontorongo shongothok. Daksur sabek VP. Bangladesh Awami League er durdiner sarathi o sabek presidium member; sabek montree; bortoman Bangladesh Awami League er upodeshta mondolir shodossho jonab Tofail Ahmed chikitsarot obosthay Dhakar United Hospital e Bangladesh time rat 10:30 minute intekal koren. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. Unar mrityute gobhir shok prokash korchi." 

Which translates: "Condolence Message. Veteran politician and one of the key organizers of the 1971 Liberation War. Former VP of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU). A steadfast companion of the Awami League during its difficult times, former Presidium Member, former Minister, and current member of the Bangladesh Awami League’s Advisory Council, Mr. Tofail Ahmed, passed away while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Dhaka at 10:30 PM Bangladesh time. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un (Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return). We express our deepest condolences on his passing."

As of 5:00 PM, the post had garnered around 1,200 reactions, 558 comments, and was shared 124 times.

The same message was also shared from several other Facebook pages and profiles, including ‘Bishwanath Chhatra League’, ‘South Korea Awami League’, and ‘Sharsha Upazila Awami League’.

However, upon investigation, no credible evidence was found to support the claim. Analysis of the viral posts and relevant keyword searches revealed no confirmation from any mainstream media outlet or reliable source. A family source of Tofail Ahmed confirmed around 4:00 PM that the claim was a rumor, adding that although Tofail Ahmed has become physically weaker than before, he remains in stable condition.

Tofail Ahmed’s only daughter, Taslima Ahmed Munni, also refuted the death rumor in a statement to the mainstream media, saying, “Abbu bhalo achen ebong sustho achen.” ("My father is doing well and is healthy.")

The incident confirms that false news about the death of Tofail Ahmed has been deliberately spread through social media. Fact-checkers have also verified that the claim is untrue and that the veteran politician is alive.