Bangladesh denounces Indian media's 'propaganda' on minority attacks

The Indian Express report titled "Minorities targeted, bid to rewrite history, take revenge for 1971 events" on Friday is misleading and is part of a well-organised propaganda campaign run by Indian media, said Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The newspaper projected the arrest of three Awami League MPs as attacks on minorities using the crime suspects' religious identity, CA's Press Wing said through its fact-checking Facebook page.

Referring to Awami League leaders, Indian Express reported that there were around 2,000 incidents of arson, looting, and burning involving the minorities (Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians) between 5 and 20 August 2024, and "scattered attacks" were still taking place every day.

A police report on 11 January has revealed that most attacks on minorities since 4 August 2024 were politically motivated.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has claimed that there has been a total of 1,769 incidents of communal attacks and vandalism against minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Police has collected a list of complaints prepared by the council.

The police have contacted the relevant individuals and authorities from minority communities who are alleged to have been targeted in this violence.

The police investigated every place, institution, and individual according to the council's list.

Police investigations revealed that 1,234 incidents were politically motivated and 20 were communal.

At least 161 allegations were found to be false. Appropriate legal action was taken where the reported communal attacks took place, according to CA's Press Wing.

Quoting a Sheikh Hasina follower, Indian Express reported that there is an attempt to rewrite history and take revenge for the historic events of 1971, undermining the interim government's endeavour to correct historical facts distorted by the fallen dictator during her 16 years of misrule.