Several Indian media outlets and social media accounts, often accused of spreading propaganda, have circulated a video on their X (formerly Twitter) accounts, claiming that Hindu temples in Bangladesh were attacked and idols vandalized by Muslims. However, a thorough investigation has revealed that the video originates from India, not Bangladesh. This revelation comes as India tops the list of 34 countries most prone to rumors, according to a Statista report, based on World Economic Forum data from October 4-9, 2023.
A video posted on November 2 by RT India’s X handle claimed to depict incidents of religious violence in Bangladesh. However, Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking group, traced the footage back to India. It shows a scene from Sultanpur village in Khandaghosh, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, during a traditional idol immersion ceremony.
Further investigation revealed a Facebook post from November 30 on an account named Raghu Sathi using hashtags like #SultanpurKalimataNiranjan, confirming the event’s Indian origin. An Instagram account, dey_raghu, also shared a similar post, explicitly identifying it as part of the 12-yearly Kalimata Niranjan ceremony in Sultanpur.
Insights from the Sultanpur Kiranmoyee Library Facebook page revealed that the idol immersion ritual is a long-standing tradition organized every 12 years by local villagers. This year’s event, held on November 25, 2024, was widely celebrated. A local media outlet, Palli Damodar, corroborated the cultural significance of the ceremony in the region.
The claim that this video shows attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh is entirely baseless. Instead, it depicts a religious event from India, misused to stoke communal tensions. Fact-checking initiatives underscore the need for responsible media practices to curb the spread of misinformation.
