Abu Jakir:
The Indian media is facing criticism for inaccurately portraying the death of a mentally ill man in Bangladesh as a case of religious persecution.
The incident has been dismissed by Bangladeshi authorities and local leaders as baseless, highlighting concerns over the tendency of some Indian outlets to fuel communal narratives without proper verification.
The controversy involves the death of 60-year-old Tarun Kumar Das, whose body was recovered from the Bara Harishpur cremation ground in Natore district on Saturday.
Initial investigations by the police suggest that Tarun was strangled during a burglary at the crematorium’s kitchen area, where bronze plates were reportedly stolen.
The victim, identified as mentally ill and unaffiliated with any religious institution, had been staying at the crematorium for several days. Local Hindu leader Satya Narayan Roy Tipu clarified:
“Tarun Kumar was not a member of the cremation committee or a priest. He was mentally unstable, and there is no evidence of communal involvement in this incident.”
Md Mahbubor Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, said:
“Initial evidence points to drug addicts attempting theft. However, all possible motives are under investigation.”
The misreporting originated from the Press Trust of India (PTI), which claimed the death was an act of communal violence, citing a video shared on social media by Kolkata ISKCON spokesperson Radharaman Das.
PTI did not consult Bangladeshi authorities, local Hindu leaders, or the victim’s relatives before publishing its report.
Prominent outlets such as Hindustan Times and The Indian Express echoed the unverified claims, sparking widespread backlash.
In response, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing of Bangladesh issued a statement on its verified Facebook page, CA Press Wing Facts, labelling the reports as “misleading and exaggerated.” The statement stressed the need for responsible journalism to uphold communal harmony.
Hrishikesh Gauranga Das, a member of ISKCON Bangladesh’s executive committee, condemned the Indian media’s handling of the story:
“It is irresponsible to frame an incident as communal murder without verifying the facts. Such reporting risks harming communal harmony in Bangladesh.”
He also clarified that Tarun Kumar had no association with ISKCON.
This incident is the latest in a series of cases where Indian media has been accused of sensationalising events in Bangladesh. By framing crimes as religious persecution, such reporting risks inflaming tensions and distorting the region’s social dynamics.
Unverified news, particularly on sensitive issues like communal violence, can undermine trust between communities and nations. In this case, the exaggerations could fuel unnecessary fear and division while damaging diplomatic and societal relationships.
