Shadik Kayem Denounces AI-Generated Fake Images, Demands Apology from BNP Leaders
Social media platforms are witnessing the circulation of fake photocards and AI-generated images linking DUCSU Vice President Shadik Kayem to the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency.
According to reports, fabricated images have been spread online, including an AI-generated photograph falsely showing Sadik Kayem seated with an alleged gunman involved in the attack. These images are being shared through various social media handles, intensifying misinformation surrounding the incident.
Reacting strongly, Shadik Kayem expressed his anger on social media, condemning what he described as a propaganda campaign against him. He also called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi to issue a public apology after Rizvi, in a recent statement, alleged Shadik Kayem’s involvement by referring to the circulated image.
On Saturday, December 13, Shadik Kayem made the demand through a post on his verified Facebook account.
In the post, he wrote that BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, by treating an AI-generated image disseminated by an Awami League propaganda cell as authentic, had spread false information linking him to the attempted killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. He stated that such conduct was unexpected and irresponsible from a senior leader of a major political party like the BNP.
Shadik further said that when individuals who claim to be building the future of Bangladesh fail to verify facts during crises and instead accept Awami League–aligned misinformation as truth, it raises serious public doubts about their ability to lead the country forward.
Referring specifically to Rizvi’s speech at a BNP rally on Saturday, Shadik Kayem wrote:
“I call upon BNP as a party and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as an individual to publicly apologise for the false, image-based allegation made against me—claiming that the shooter was drinking tea at the same table with me—and thereby absolve themselves of the charge of spreading misinformation.”
Meanwhile, a fake photocard created in the name of the daily newspaper Amar Desh has been circulated, allegedly by Sajedur Rahman, an entrepreneur associated with KPC Paper Cup. The newspaper has already issued a formal protest, rejecting the authenticity of the fabricated content.
Similarly, another fake photocard designed to resemble Kaler Kantho, falsely quoting expatriate journalist Ilias Hossain, is being shared on social media. The quote claims:
“Those with a functioning brain will understand why Osman Hadi is Sadik Kayem’s biggest rival. I don’t want to say much more. I’ll just say this—while trying to frame someone, you ended up trapping yourself.”
Additionally, a Facebook page named ‘Dosherlathi – দশেরলাঠি’ has circulated four separate fake photocards styled after different mainstream media outlets, falsely alleging that Shibir was involved in the attack on Hadi. One such photocard, designed to resemble BBC Bangla, carries the headline suggesting that Hadi was attacked by Shibir to clear the way for Shadik Kayem’s candidacy.
In a separate development, following the emergence of Faisal Karim’s name in connection with the shooting of Osman Hadi, photographs showing him alongside former President Abdul Hamid—who served twice during the Awami League era—as well as several leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan Awami League and Chhatra League, have resurfaced on Facebook.
Photos have also gone viral showing Faisal Karim participating in campaigning activities with Hadi in Dhaka-8 and attending gatherings at the Inqilab Cultural Center in Banglamotor, founded by Hadi. Many speculate that Faisal Karim may have been tracking Osman Hadi for some time.
In 2016, YC Technology Limited, owned by Faisal Karim, developed a computer game titled “Battle of ’71”, based on Bangladesh’s Liberation War and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The project was supported by the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) and patronised by the government’s ICT Division. The game’s inauguration ceremony in November that year was attended by Mustafa Jabbar, then BASIS president and later Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
In 2018, during the 11th National Parliamentary Elections, the central Chhatra League formed constituency-based election coordination committees. In Dhaka-12, where former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was the Awami League candidate, Faisal Karim served as a member of the coordination committee.
DBTech / DPO / EK / OR
