H. M. Nazmul Alam

It was a quiet morning in Dhaka when I stumbled across a headline from one of India’s prestigious news outlets. “Bangladesh Installs Alien As Chief Adviser.” My coffee spilled in shock—how could this groundbreaking story elude me? The narrative was as gripping as any science fiction novel. Bangladesh, it seemed, was the new intergalactic hub, with its government taking interstellar diplomacy to unprecedented heights. A quick fact-check revealed it was fake, but the creativity was undeniable.

This level of ingenuity, however, has become par for the course for many Indian media outlets. Since August 5, when Bangladesh’s Awami League regime finally fell under the weight of its own hubris and corruption, Indian media has transformed itself into a vibrant storytelling machine, unshackled from the dull constraints of truth or accuracy.

The Birth of a New Genre: Fictional Journalism

It started innocently enough. Reports of Sheikh Hasina fleeing Bangladesh circulated, accompanied by a dramatic open letter accusing the United States of orchestrating her downfall. This letter had everything: drama, betrayal, and enough grammatical errors to make an English teacher weep. Unfortunately, there was one small issue—it didn’t exist. But hey, why let pesky details like reality get in the way of a juicy story?

From there, the floodgates opened. Republic Bangla led the charge with a record five fake reports, while others like Zee News, India Today, and Aaj Tak pitched in with their fair share. Collectively, they painted a picture of a Bangladesh descending into chaos: militants running wild, Chinese airbases popping up near India’s border, and temples burning left and right. It was as if Bangladesh had turned into a dystopian blockbuster overnight.

When Facts Take a Back Seat

One of my personal favorites was the report about Bangladesh lifting bans on militant organizations. According to Indian media, the interim government had decided to welcome extremism with open arms. Reality, however, had other plans. Rumor Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organization, found the claim to be as fictional as a Bollywood love triangle.

Then there was the viral video of a “Hindu man searching for his son.” The emotional footage tugged at heartstrings until, of course, it was revealed that the man in question was Muslim, and his story had nothing to do with communal tensions. But by then, the damage was done. The narrative had already ignited social media debates, fueled outrage, and added another log to the fire of communal discord.

The Art of Misdirection

Perhaps the most bizarre narrative involved a supposed Pakistani military ship docking at Chattogram port. Indian media spun it as a covert operation to smuggle arms and destabilize the region. In reality, the ship was about as threatening as a floating grocery store, carrying nothing more sinister than commercial goods.

But why stop at misdirection when you can add a pinch of melodrama? One report claimed that Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel laureate, had fled to France following Donald Trump’s re-election. The accompanying photo, however, was from August, when Yunus returned from a trip to France before taking office. It seems that in the world of Indian media, chronology is more of a suggestion than a rule.

Igniting Communal Flames

What makes this flood of misinformation particularly dangerous is its focus on stoking communal tensions. For instance, videos of idol immersions in India were repackaged as evidence of temple attacks in Bangladesh. Another viral clip of a burning house was linked to communal violence, only for fact-checkers to confirm it was from an unrelated incident involving an electrical fire.

The result? A growing narrative that minorities in Bangladesh are under siege, a claim amplified by Indian media without context or verification. This portrayal not only misrepresents the situation but also risks inciting violence on both sides of the border.

The Blame Game: A Favorite Pastime

Of course, no story would be complete without a villain, and in this saga, the usual suspects—Pakistan, China, and the United States—have all made appearances. According to Indian media, these shadowy forces orchestrated the fall of the Awami League, puppeteering Bangladesh’s revolution like some sort of geopolitical talent show.

It’s a convenient narrative, one that absolves India of any responsibility while painting Bangladesh as a helpless pawn in a larger game. Never mind that the people of Bangladesh were the true architects of their revolution, rising up against years of authoritarian rule.

Fictional Journalism with Real Consequences

While it’s tempting to laugh off these stories as harmless exaggerations, the consequences are far from trivial. The constant barrage of fake news has strained relations between ordinary citizens of both countries, with reports of hostility toward Bangladeshi travelers in Indian border towns.

This media-fueled animosity also risks undermining the delicate balance of communal harmony within Bangladesh. By portraying the country as a hotbed of anti-Hindu violence, Indian media perpetuates stereotypes that can escalate tensions and disrupt social cohesion.

A Call for Responsibility

As entertaining as these fictional narratives may be, the role of the media is not to entertain but to inform. By spreading misinformation and disinformation, Indian media outlets are failing not only their own audiences but also the people of Bangladesh.

Perhaps it’s time for a collective pause, a moment to reflect on the responsibility that comes with holding the public’s trust. Until then, we in Bangladesh will continue to watch in bemusement as our neighbors spin tales that would make even the most seasoned fiction writers jealous.

A Final Note

In the spirit of satire, let me conclude with a humble suggestion for our friends in the Indian media. If you’re so determined to create stories about Bangladesh, why not go all in and launch a new genre? Call it “Geo-Political Fantasy,” complete with dramatic soundtracks, over-the-top villains, and the occasional alien invasion. At least that way, your audience will know not to take you seriously.

Until then, we’ll be here, sipping our coffee, waiting for the next installment of your imaginative tales. Who knows? Maybe next week, we’ll learn that Bangladesh has annexed Mars. Anything seems possible in the alternate reality of Indian media.

The writer is a, Lecturer, Department of English and Modern Languages, International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology