A report from the fact-checking platform, Rumor Scanner, has revealed that several rumors were spread on social media on October 8, claiming a conflict between the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and the Chief of Army Staff. Rumor Scanner found evidence of at least eight rumors regarding this alleged conflict.
According to the report, the rumors likely began in the afternoon. Around 3 PM, certain Facebook posts appeared, with one stating, “Suddenly, the army with tanks is stationed at Jamuna. What’s going on?” (spelling unaltered). These claims continued to spread on Facebook well into the evening.
Following recent changes on August 5, it became common to see military presence in front of significant government buildings. The Jamuna State Guesthouse, being used as the Chief Adviser’s residence, has been secured by various forces, including PGR, SPBN, RAB, and police, as well as armored vehicles from the army. Therefore, early posts seemed to be aimed at creating curiosity.
Rumor Scanner observed that after 9 PM on Tuesday, rumors intensified on Facebook, claiming that a tense meeting involving high-ranking army officials was taking place at Jamuna, with Dr. Yunus being questioned by disgruntled army officers on various issues.
One viral Facebook post claimed, “Yunus is being held accountable for failing to control law and order and inflation over the last two months. Several sources confirmed that Yunus will be given a deadline to conduct elections and resign.” Similar claims were spread widely within hours, with posts from accounts named Kazi Mamun and Mufassil Islam contributing to the viral spread. These rumors also found their way to platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Just after midnight, Yasmin Sultana Polen, President of the UK chapter of the Awami League’s Women’s Wing, made a Facebook post claiming, “General Wakar-Uz-Zaman (Army Chief General Wakar-Uz-Zaman) has given Yunus seven days to control the situation. In response, Yunus has given Wakar-Uz-Zaman 24 hours to resign. Someone from the army reprimanded Sarvis Alam for disrespecting the army chief!” (spelling unaltered).
Rumor Scanner indicated that “Sarvis Alam” likely referred to Sarjis Alam, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. When contacted, Sarjis Alam confirmed that he had been with his family all evening. Similarly, the Deputy Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, Apurba Jahangir, and multiple senior army officials also identified these rumors as false.
Around 1 AM, Nazmul Hasan, another coordinator of the student movement, posted a live video from outside Jamuna, showing a calm and normal scene, contradicting the rumors. He further confirmed in a later video that the viral claim was entirely false, as military and police presence was routine.
Despite Nazmul’s clarification, the flow of misinformation continued. Rumor Scanner found a video claiming to show an argument between advisers and army officers at Jamuna, but upon investigation, it was found to be footage of a gathering outside the Italian Embassy in Dhaka on September 9.
Another video claimed to show military personnel entering Jamuna. Geo-location confirmed that the footage was from Jamuna, but there was no sign of any unusual activity. Sources indicated that the video likely captured a routine shift change of security personnel.
Some Facebook posts also circulated images of a convoy of law enforcement vehicles outside Jamuna. However, upon verification, the images were found to depict law enforcement stationed at a Durga Puja site in Rajbari after an act of vandalism.
Moreover, there were claims that a former student movement coordinator, now an adviser, was reprimanded by an army officer during a meeting at Jamuna. A video of Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah was circulated in support of this claim, but Rumor Scanner found that the video, originally live-streamed on August 25, had no connection to the current situation.
In another case, a fake post using Sarjis Alam’s Facebook account was circulated, calling for people to gather at the Raju Sculpture. Sarjis confirmed he never made such a post.
Rumor Scanner also discovered a fake military press release being circulated on Facebook, criticizing the caretaker government and calling for people to take to the streets. Upon contacting the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), Rumor Scanner confirmed that the press release was a forgery.
In summary, from Tuesday afternoon, discussions on Facebook began implying unusual military activity at Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Adviser. These posts triggered curiosity, but further investigation by Rumor Scanner revealed no evidence of any conflict between the Chief Adviser and the Army Chief. The viral claims were accompanied by fake videos, outdated footage, fake Facebook posts, manipulated images, and a fabricated press release, all used to spread at least eight false rumors about the supposed rift between the Chief Adviser and the Army Chief.