On 21 August 2024, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court fined the Tamil Nadu government ₹50,000 for appealing a prior court decision regarding compensation for a child victim who died after a wall collapsed on her at a Sri Lankan refugee camp. The court criticized the government’s attempt to avoid responsibility and compensation during the case. The bench reminded how they were quick to support illicit liquor victims with large sums.
Athipathi, the petitioner and father of Saranya, an 11-year-old who died when a wall collapsed at a Sri Lankan refugee camp in Tiruvathavur, Melur taluk, Madurai district, after heavy rain on 12 May 2014. He had requested ₹10 lakh in compensation from the government.
The government claimed that Saranya’s death resulted from the collapse of asbestos roofing installed by the petitioner. However, Village Administrative Officer records indicated that her death was due to injuries from the collapse of a side wall.
Justice GR Swaminathan stated that since the government was responsible for housing the petitioner’s family and others at the camp, it was duty-bound to ensure their safety.
Court Slams TN Government
The court dismissed the government’s attempt to avoid liability by citing an “act of God,” noting that the collapse was due to the wall’s poor construction. The State was, therefore, ordered to pay ₹5 lakh in compensation, accepting full responsibility.
The division bench consisting of Justice R. Subramanian and Justice Victoria Gowri, after hearing the case, dismissed the appeal and slammed the government, stating that it should be ashamed for filing such an appeal.
The petition came up for hearing today before a bench comprising Justices R Subramanian and Victoria Gowri. During the trial, the justices questioned the state government how it had funds to pay ₹10 lakh to those who died after drinking illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. But when it came to a child who died after the wall collapsed, the government appealed that they were unable to provide adequate funds.
The court said, “Isn’t this embarrassing for the government? How did you appeal this case?”
The judges dismissed the government’s petition and issued an order dismissing it, imposing a fine of ₹50,000 on the officer who filed the appeal.
Actor Vijay unveiled the flag and anthem of his political outfit, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), on 22 August 2024. He hoisted the flag at the TVK secretariat in Panaiyur near Chennai.
The flag, symbolically red and yellow, features two elephants flanking a Vaagai flower. It is an emblem of Tamil victory with deep roots in Tamil Eelam nationalism. The accompanying anthem, crafted by music director Thaman and lyricist Vivek, portrays Vijay as a unifying force challenging dominant Dravidian parties. It has imagery hinting at a call for corruption-free governance and a coalition of diverse Tamil communities.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay unveils the party's flag and symbol today.
The flag features two primary colours in alternate bands: red at the top and bottom and yellow at the middle. It also features two elephants on either side of a Vaagai flower. Some believe that ancient Tamil warriors wore garlands of the Vaagai flower as a symbol of victory.
The Vaagai flow also has another connection—Tamil Eelam, thereby positioning TVK as a Tamil Nationalist party. The Vaagai tree (Albizia lebbeck) is also the national tree symbol of Eelam.
The 4.27-minute video anthem of the TVK features music by Thaman and lyrics penned by Vivek. The video begins with two ‘dark-skinned’ elephants wreaking havoc with people running amok. Atop the two dark-skinned elephants are two mahouts. A man holding a flagstaff comes on a white horse flanked by two white elephants. The white elephants hit the two black elephants to the ground. Then they welcome the man holding a flag, who hoists what turns out to be the TVK party’s flag.
As mentioned above, the anthem highlights the flag’s glory in the next few seconds.
TVK Video Symbolisms
If one were to make an inference, the two dark-skinned elephants could be the two Dravidian political mammoths—the DMK and AIADMK. By showing panic-stricken people running helter-skelter with the two dark elephants in rampage mode, one can infer that Vijay is politically targeting the two Dravidian majors for having plundered the state and how he’s here to rescue the people from them.
The white-black symbolism becomes evident as Vijay wears a white shirt in the video.
The video also features a Jallikattu bull whose horns are the colours of the TVK flag. The video also shows how the flag’s colours are a part of Tamil society. Subsequently, the video shows silhouettes of MGR, Vijay and perhaps CN Annadurai with lyrics, “Tamizhan kodi parakkudu, Thalaivan yugam porakkudu, Moondrezhuthu mandhiratha meendum kaalam olikkidu” meaning the flag of Tamils is flying, the era of a leader is born, the three-letter mantra is being heard.
The names of MGR, Anna, and Vijay are each formed by three Tamil letters.
TVK Positioned Against DMK?
The video shows MGR and not Karunanidhi, even though the latter served as the state’s chief minister for five terms. By claiming Anna and MGR’s legacy, Vijay is trying to position TVK as the counterforce against DMK.
It also showcases how children, adults, women, auto drivers, and elders love the leader. The lyrics also call to the Tamilian saying, Tamizha, we are going to thrive, we are going to hold an untainted hand and move forward, indicating a promise of a corruption-free rule.
And then there’s a dash of the typical Indian secularism showing a Hindu, Muslim and Christian holding the TVK flag.
The lyrics describe the flag’s colours and symbols—the colour red from blood, the strengths of two elephants, yellow decoration, and tilaka with blue and green.
The colours seem to be an attempt to indicate the cohorts or the vote bank he wishes to garner: red for the working class, green for Muslims, blue for Dalits, pink for women, and yellow for Hindus.
From the flag and anthem, Vijay’s political ideology seems to be a mix of ADMK and NTK.
The lyrics also project Vijay as the quintessential leader who will be a friend of the public and question the wrongdoers, whoever they may be.
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Actor Vijay unveiled the flag and the official anthem of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), today in Chennai.
On Thursday, 22 August 2024, the famous actor, hoisted his political party’s flag at the party’s secretariat in Panaiyur. This event fueled ongoing discussions about Vijay’s political aspirations. The party also debuted its official anthem, featuring peppy and lively music by Thaman and lyrics penned by Vivek.
The two-colored flag features red at the top and bottom, with yellow in the center. It is adorned with two fighting elephants and the Vaagai flower. In ancient Tamil kingdoms, warriors wore garlands of the Vaagai flower to symbolize victory.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay unveils the party’s flag and symbol today.
The pledge states, “We will always appreciate the fighters who fought and sacrificed their life for the liberation of our country and countless soldiers who fought tirelessly for the rights of our people from Tamil soil. I will continue to sing to fulfill the goal of language war martyrs who sacrificed their lives. I believe in the constitution and sovereignty of India and act as a responsible individual who maintains unity, brotherhood, religious harmony, and equality with all. I promise to continue my duty as a public servant by traveling on the path of people’s rule, secularism, and social justice. I will remove the differences in the name of caste, religion, gender, and place of birth, create awareness among the people, and strive for equal opportunities and equal rights for all. I solemnly affirm that I will uphold the principle of equality for all living beings.”
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay takes pledge along with party workers and leaders at the party office in Chennai
"We will always appreciate the fighters who fought and sacrificed their life for the liberation of our country… pic.twitter.com/amiti3rBC2
A yellow flag bearing Vijay’s image has gone viral online. However, TVK representatives have not yet verified its authenticity. A rally to mark TVK’s official launch may happen in September in Vikravandi, Villupuram district.
Vijay announced the formation of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam in February 2024. He plans to transition fully into politics after completing his 69th film project, “G.O.A.T”. He is likely to wrap this film by February 2025. Vijay has committed to developing TVK’s grassroots infrastructure over the next two years and has stated he will not endorse any political party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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YouTuber and content creator Aaj Ki Taza Khabar, known as AKTK, who boasts 1.44 million subscribers and over 1,400 videos, has publicly come out with a video criticizing “YouTube India” for allegedly shadow-banning his content whenever he mentions names of left-leaning journalists and YouTubers like Ravish Kumar, Dhruv Rathee, or Rajdeep Sardesai. According to AKTK, the YouTube algorithm swiftly demonetizes his content when his content mentions these names. He recently shared a video documenting this issue and questioned whether this is how the algorithm is supposed to work.
On 21 August 2024, AKTK took to his official X account to reveal that mentioning names like Ravish Kumar, Dhruv Rathee, or Rajdeep Sardesai in video titles led to demonetization. He posted, “Mentioning Ravish, Rathee or Rajdeep Sardesai name in Video title can demonetize your video। Herez d proof @AshwiniVaishnaw @Shehzad_Ind @YouTubeIndiaIs this how your algorithm works? Really shocking how Big Tech is controlling the narrative @AchAnkurArya @ajeetbharti.”
In his post, AKTK included a video detailing his experience with YouTube India. He described how he initially titled a new video, “Operation ‘Save Mamata’ by Andh Namazi Gang,” and had no issues with monetization. However, when he changed the title to “Operation ‘Save Mamata’ by Ravish -Dhruv-Rajdeep,” the monetization status switched from “on” to “limited” within minutes, and YouTube imposed ad suitability restrictions. After reverting to the original title, he could fully monetize the video with no limits.
Mentioning Ravish , Rathee or Rajdeep Sardesai name in Video title can demonetize your video।
The video quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion among netizens. Many criticized YouTube for perceived bias, accusing the platform of favoring left-wing or liberal content creators while suppressing right-wing or nationalist voices.
YouTube and Indian General Elections
The issue of shadow banning and content suppression by the US-based tech giant YouTube is not new. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, numerous YouTubers who supported the incumbent BJP party reported encountering shadow bans and demonetization, which significantly hindered the visibility of their content. Many of these creators, who had predicted a decisive victory for the BJP and a significant loss for Rahul Gandhi’s Congress Party, faced similar issues.
After the polling concluded on 1 June 2024, and with the release of exit polls, political commentators and journalists increasingly turned to YouTube as a platform for their analyses. This shift occurred as digital media continued to grow in influence. However, some YouTube creators believed that the tech giant unfairly restricted their content. They took to social media to demand action against what they perceived as biased treatment by YouTube India and relevant authorities.
Similar Instances
Notable figures such as senior journalist Ajeet Bharti, The New Indian editor Rohan Dua, TV journalist Sushant Sinha, The Jaipur Dialogues media platform, and YouTubers AKTK and Ankur Arya voiced their concerns. Still, their appeals did not receive a response.
Rohan Dua
Dua highlighted the issue on X, asserting that YouTube’s actions represented a “criminal offense to influence polls” and suggested that the platform fostered anti-Modi sentiment. He claimed that recorded conversations of 17 YouTube India employees revealed instructions on how to shadow-ban neutral coverage while promoting anti-Modi content. Dua alleged that this conspiracy affected press freedom and mentioned that among those involved in manipulating the algorithm were 17 employees, including five women and 12 men from various Indian states. He believed this constituted “criminal conspiracy under IPC Sections 127A, 120B, and 171B/R bribery charges.”
BEWARE| I’m hearing India’s intelligence agencies have been supplied with recorded conversations of 17 @YouTubeIndia employees in India who explicitly wrote & spoke instructions on how to shadow ban any neutral coverage & promote anti @narendramodi trash.
The accusations suggested that videos from pro-Modi creators mentioning opposition leaders or INDI Alliance members were flagged and demonetized. Creators then faced two to three days delays in resolving these issues, during which time the news became outdated, diminishing the video’s relevance and viewership.
Ajeet Bharti
Bharti reported on X that YouTube had demonetized 35 of his videos over the past 45 days and re-monetized 32 after appeals. Despite these re-monetizations, the delays resulted in zero revenue during peak election periods. “They were wrong 32 out of 35 times during the peak election period,” Bharti noted. Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani has also expressed concerns over YouTube’s alleged targeting of BJP-supporting creators, citing instances of demonization.
Although, I have given up on tagging @YouTubeIndia for clarifications, but there is always that instance where our comprehensive abilities to calm us down evaporate.
This time, maybe roasting Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi didn't go down well with them and so they, at first…
In a related case in September 2023, right-wing YouTuber Vinod Kumar faced a similar situation when his channel “String Reveals” was arbitrarily banned. Kumar subsequently took legal action, filing a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking two crore rupees in compensation and the reinstatement of his accounts. His content primarily focused on promoting Hindu culture and temples.
Google has arbitrarily suspended our YouTube accounts. All the String channels have been terminated. Now @String has approached Andhra Pradesh High Court. Adv @shashank_ssj has filed a Writ for String seeking restoration of our YouTube channels. Additionally, High Court has been… pic.twitter.com/DmveOCtdNq
String Channel removed‼️ No strike, no violation but straight delete🤷♂️@TeamYouTube@YouTube Please explain whose boots you licked to do this to me? If you don’t bring back my channel asap, you will see how far I’ll reach. Mind you! YouTube is not the only platform where we can do… pic.twitter.com/GCF3Fqcz2K
The Ministry of Home Affairs has sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal regarding the deployment of CISF personnel in the state in response to escalating protests over the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The letter comes in the wake of unabated protests since August 9, when a 31-year-old postgraduate student was found brutally raped and murdered in the Kolkata hospital. On August 14, a violent mob stormed the College, vandalising the property while the police stood by as silent spectators.
Protests have erupted nationwide in response to the brutal incident, with citizens demanding swift justice. Following an investigation, the police arrested a civic volunteer from the Kolkata Police Disaster Management Force stationed near the medical college. The accused, described as a womaniser and domestic abuser, confessed to the crime.
Dissatisfied with the state police’s handling of the case, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 13, 2024, citing concerns about potential evidence tampering.
On August 18, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the case. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, criticised the state government, Kolkata police, and the college administration for their mismanagement of the investigation and the vandalism at the hospital on August 14. The court established a national task force to ensure the safety of doctors in the workplace and requested the protesting doctors to return to work.
Additionally, the court ordered the CISF and CRPF to provide security at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Kolkata police directed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the state home minister and health minister, have been going on a threatening spree against people who are vocally criticising the state government about the tragedy.
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Kollywood actor Vijay will launch the official flag of his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), on 22 August 2024 at the party’s headquarters in Panayur, Chennai. Vijay will reportedly hoist the party flag in the presence of his party officials. He has already practised for the ceremony earlier this week.
On X, the actor’s official account stated, “It is a great blessing if every day is a new direction and a new force in history. The 22nd of August 2024 is the day God and nature gave us such a boon. It is the day when the flag, our Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’s main symbol, will be introduced.”
“I am pleased to announce that tomorrow we will introduce our heroic flag, the victory flag, which will become the symbol of our state by working for the welfare of Tamil Nadu, release the party flag song, and hoist the party flag. From tomorrow, our flag will fly across the country, Tamil Nadu will flourish, and victory will be assured,” he added.
Although TVK is still registering with the Election Commission of India, a yellow flag bearing Vijay’s image has gone viral online. However, TVK representatives have not yet verified its authenticity. It is also alleged that a rally is planned for late September this year in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, to mark the official launch of TVK.
Vijay announced the formation of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam in February 2024. He plans to transition fully into politics after completing his 69th film project, “G.O.A.T,” which is expected to wrap up by February 2025. Vijay has committed to developing TVK’s grassroots infrastructure over the next two years and has stated he will not endorse any political party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
His primary focus is securing victory in the 2026 assembly elections, aiming to bring “fundamental political change” to Tamil Nadu. Whether Vijay intends to run for the Tamil Nadu Assembly under TVK’s banner remains unclear. Since the party’s announcement, Vijay has actively engaged in community outreach, recognising top-performing students from 10th and 12th grades to build TVK’s support among young voters and their families.
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In a tragic incident at Aavin milk factory in Thiruvallur district, a woman employee named Umarani lost her life after a conveyor belt severed her head. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, 20 August 2024, while Umarani was stacking milk packets in the factory. Her dupatta and hair got caught in the machinery, leading to the horrific accident.
When the tragedy struck, Umarani, a 30-year-old Salem district resident, worked at the Aavin factory. Her husband, Karthi, is employed at a private factory in Irungattukottai. The couple had two children. The police were quick to arrive at the scene, recovering Umarani’s body and sending it to the Thiruvallur District Government Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. The incident has left the employees of the Kakalur dairy and the local community in shock, with milk supply from the facility temporarily suspended.
Addressing the media, DMK Milk & Dairy Development Minister Mano Thangaraj expressed his sorrow over the incident and provided insight into the safety protocols at the Aavin factory. “There are SOPs in place for everything. The machines have operated for 25 years, and we have never encountered such an accident. She [Umarani] may have tilted towards the conveyor belt, causing her dupatta to get caught. The packaging conveyor belt moves slowly, not fast, so we are investigating how this accident occurred,” he said. The minister also mentioned that employees are generally not allowed to wear dupattas due to safety concerns, but some workers insist on wearing them as part of their cultural attire. “We are considering introducing a coat as part of the uniform and are discussing this with the labourers. Either we will ban the dupatta, or they will have to agree to wear the coat,” he added.
When a reporter asked if it was the employee’s fault or if there was some issue with the machine, he said, “This is surely carelessness, but whether it is carelessness or an accident is unclear. This will not happen frequently, nor has it happened before. Her dupatta was slightly longer than usual, and how it got entangled is unknown. This would have been possible only if she had bent/tilted to that side. This is unlike the other belts, which move quickly since they are in the packaging department. It moves very slowly, and it is more likely that this occurred due to her carelessness. But we have asked for this to be investigated.”
The incident has also drawn criticism from opposition leaders. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the DMK government for failing to ensure worker safety at the factory. In a statement on his X account, Palaniswami said, “I was shocked to hear the news that Umarani, a female employee who was working at Aavin Dairy Farm in Kakalur, Thiruvallur district, tragically died after her clothes and hair got caught in the conveyor belt. My deepest condolences to Umarani’s family. The management should have ensured the safety of dairy workers while working with dangerous machinery. But in this DMK regime, there is no protection for workers anywhere from firecrackers to dairy farms. Aavin’s safety protocol is that there must be no contamination in the milk. But as a result of this DMK government not providing proper safety facilities, today, a woman worker got her hair caught, and her head was cut off. I strongly condemn the DMK government for being lax in security. I urge the DMK Chief Minister to provide appropriate relief to the family of deceased Umarani and to ensure that adequate safety facilities are provided to the workers in the dairy farms in case such accidents happen again.”
திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம் காக்களூரில் உள்ள ஆவின் பால் பண்ணையில் பணிபுரிந்து வந்த உமாராணி என்ற பெண் ஊழியர் கன்வேயர் பெல்டில் துணி, தலைமுடி சிக்கியதால் பரிதாபமாக உயிரிழந்த செய்தி கேட்டு அதிர்ச்சியுற்றேன். உயிரிழந்த திருமதி. உமாராணி அவர்களின் குடும்பத்தாருக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்களையும்… pic.twitter.com/QIeDCXqpMK
— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) August 21, 2024
The accident has raised concerns about workplace safety at Aavin’s dairy farms, with calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and better protection for workers operating around hazardous machinery.
In response to the surge in monkeypox cases worldwide and the World Health Organization (WHO) warning, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has lauded the central government’s preventive measures after inspecting the protocols at Chennai Airport.
Chennai International Airport has initiated widespread fever screening for all incoming passengers following a warning from the WHO about the virus’s rapid spread in African countries. The goal is to curb the entry of monkeypox into the state.
Initially identified in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, monkeypox is now also reported in parts of the Philippines, Sweden, and Pakistan. In light of this, the Health Department has stepped up its efforts to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Minister Ma Subramanian reviewed the screening process during his visit to Chennai Airport and engaged with officials. He stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary delays for passengers during the screening.
Passengers who appear tired are examined for visible rashes or lesions on their hands and faces. An automated fever screening device has been installed at the airport to detect elevated temperatures. If a passenger shows fever or other symptoms, the device triggers a red light and warning alarm. The individual is then isolated by the medical team and given first aid.
In this regard, DMK Minister Ma Subramanian told reporters, “Monkeypox is spreading rapidly across the globe. First identified in 1958, the virus has now been detected in 116 countries, including many in Africa, America, and China. On the 14th of August, the World Health Organization declared a state of emergency, prompting a serious response from the central health department and handling well.”
“Following the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu’s directives, we have convened a meeting to discuss various preventive measures. Surveillance measures have been implemented at Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore International Airports. Airports will conduct temperature screenings, and an isolation room is available to promptly address individuals who show signs of fever. Those affected will be transferred to a hospital, where a special 10-bed ward will be established at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. Similar wards are being set up in Coimbatore and Madurai,” he added.
“Currently, there are no reported cases of monkeypox in Tamil Nadu. However, any symptoms should be reported immediately. Even in Pakistan, cases have been confirmed, so we monitor them vigilantly. The Union Government is effectively managing the monkeypox outbreak,” he added.
Minister Subramanian assured that monkeypox is not expected to be as severe as the coronavirus pandemic, but he urged the public to remain cautious and follow preventive measures.
The Emmanuel Tribal Mission Society is exposed for operating an illegal children’s home in Chengicherla, Hyderabad. They were also religious proselytising minors. An FIR was filed against them after an inspection by the District Child Protection Officer. He said seven children, two from Nepal and five from Telangana, were at their unauthorised orphanage.
Disturbing evidence, including a video of pastors linked to this group baptising minors, has surfaced. An NGO is working on reuniting these children with their families.
Emmanuel Tribal Mission Society
In a shocking revelation, a Christian missionary organisation named Emmanuel Tribal Mission Society has been found running an illegal children’s home in Chengicherla and indulging in religious proselytisation.
An FIR has been registered against the missionary organisation based on the complaint given by the District Child Protection Officer.
The officer visited the unauthorised childcare institution Emmanuel Children Orphan Home, which is run by the same society. That is where he found seven children (five from Telangana and two from Nepal).
A video uploaded to the Christian organisation’s YouTube channel in May 2021 shows a man baptising children.
Extremely Shocking!!
Pastors of Emmanuel Children Orphanage at Chengicherla, Hyderabad, involved Christian conversions targeting minor girls!
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 21, 2024
NGO watchdog Legal Rights Protection Forum is in touch with Nepal’s Hindu groups to reunite the two Nepalese girls with their parents. They are also making efforts to rescue and rehabilitate the other five children.
Last year, an FIR was filed against Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission Orphanage in Pune (Maharashtra) for confining & converting minors. Two girls who had lost their mothers were admitted to the orphanage. The orphanage workers forced these girls to bathe in public, clean toilets, pray to Jesus and have wine. These orphans were denied proper food and clothing for not agreeing to convert to Christianity. They were reportedly prohibited from wearing Hindu symbols.
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European media outlets are actively crafting the narrative that the violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh is not communal but politically motivated.
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as the last prime minister of Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, there has been widespread violence against Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, with reports of attacks on their homes, businesses, and temples. Local organisations, such as the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, have documented these incidents, which have sparked global outrage among Hindu communities.
According to their narrative, the violence is linked to the victims’ political affiliations with Hasina’s government. Prominent broadcasters such as the BBC (British), DW News (German), and, more recently, France 24 (French) promote this perspective. All these European media outlets seem to advocate for forming a new government in Bangladesh, suggesting a subtle dissatisfaction with the previous administration.
Since 5 August 2024, Bangladesh has witnessed widespread violence against minorities, particularly Hindus. Reports emerged of vandalism targeting Hindu homes, businesses, and places of worship such as temples. Social media has been abuzz with distressing accounts from Hindus who have relatives and friends in India, sharing their experiences of threats, assaults, and other forms of violence. These stories have sparked global outrage among Hindu communities, reflecting a deep-seated resentment dating back to 1971 and earlier.
Local organisations dedicated to minority welfare have verified and reported these incidents on social media. For instance, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council released a report detailing a series of attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses amid the unrest since Hasina left. According to the Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus on the social media platform X, these assaults occurred within five hours, though the actual number of incidents may be higher than reported.
How European Media Is Downplaying Attack On Hindus In Bangladesh
European media such as the BBC, DW, and France 24 seem to be following the leftist/anti-Hindu playbook, which toes the Western viewpoint on Bangladesh and Hindus in general.
BBC
BBC, Britain’s state-owned broadcaster, has been attempting to diminish the torment faced by Bangladeshi Hindus at the hands of Islamists through selective fact-checking while blaming the ‘far-right’ in India for the violence.
In its article titled “Far-right spreads false claims about Muslim attacks in Bangladesh”, the BBC said that the far-right influencers in India shared “false videos and information” that gave a “misleading view of the events”.
The BBC asserted that many of the claims circulating online were false. It claimed that the ruling Awami League party, which includes both Hindu and Muslim members, was a primary target. This portrayal subtly justified the violence as a consequence of political tensions rather than religious animosity.
By presenting the situation in this way, the BBC effectively set the stage for dismissing concerns raised globally about the Hindu community’s plight in Bangladesh.
Deutsche Welle (DW)
Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s state-owned broadcaster, has been criticised for downplaying the religious violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly during recent anti-government protests. In a video published on 19 August 2024, DW acknowledged attacks on the Hindu minority but suggested that many of the claims shared on social media were false. The video also portrayed the motives behind these attacks as politically driven rather than religiously motivated, stating that the violent acts were linked to the opposition against the Awami League, which is seen as a protector of minority communities like Hindus.
DW further attempted to shift focus by discussing a case where an arson attack on a Muslim shrine was misrepresented as an attack on a Hindu temple online. The broadcaster brought in ‘experts’ like Thomas Kean to argue that the reasons behind the violence are unclear, implying that religious motivations were not the primary factor despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Violent anti-government protests in Bangladesh have fueled many false claims of attacks against the nation's Hindu minority.
Moreover, DW suggested that disinformation spread by Indians on social media is exacerbating tensions, linking the issue to the close political ties between India and Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina government. This narrative appears to deflect responsibility from the actual perpetrators of the violence, instead framing the discourse as being manipulated by external actors with political interests.
DW’s reporting perceivably glosses over the serious issue of religious persecution in Bangladesh, particularly against Hindus, and downplays the Islamist motives behind many of these attacks.
DW even blamed India. They said, “And Indian Prime Minister Modi and Hasina have close political ties. India views events in Bangladesh as a problem for security, trade, and influence. So, different groups in India might have their own interests in sharing such content.”
France 24
Following the trend, France 24, a public-funded international news network, joined the bandwagon. On 16 August 2024, they shared a video on their Facebook page with the caption, “Ever since students toppled #Bangladesh’s government on August 5, many Indian internet users have been claiming that the #Hindu minority is in danger. Rape, violence or attacks on temples… these images have gone #viral. But they have been taken out of context. According to regional experts, Hindus are not specifically attacked because of their #religion, but rather because of their #political affiliation. The Observers – France 24 looked into the misleading claims.”
This is quite similar to what DW did with its report and “fact-checking” with alleged experts.
However, it is surprising that this report has yet to be posted on YouTube or their website, but only on Facebook.
AltNews As “Fact-Checkers”
In the video, they discuss these “claims” of violence against Hindus with (well, no surprises for guessing) alleged fact checkers – AltNews. While some of the videos that were in circulation at the time of the attacks were from a different time period and did not necessarily involve Hindus, it does not make the fact that Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh were subjected to attacks.
The video goes on to say that the videos and photos shared by the ‘Hindu nationalists’ in India “were a part of a huge disinformation campaign”. The video also claimed that “Hindus in Bangladesh were not attacked because of their religion.”
They got ‘expert opinion’ from a Bangladeshi journalist named Zillur Rahman, who called the attacks ‘politically motivated’.
Zillur Rahman allegedly received US funds to fight disinformation – he allegedly spread disinformation, which was reportedly his political views.
Zillur Rahman launches all-out attack on press freedom; running disinformation with US funds — Zillur Rahman, who himself is a journalist working for a private-owned TV channel in #Bangladesh, has came down heavily on his colleagues calling them biased and partisan.
France 24’s video also received ‘expert opinion’ from alleged fact-checker Abhishek Kumar from Alt News, who told them that Hindu nationalists aim to “defame Muslim community by portraying Hindus as victims.”
He adds this aim would “damage the image of Muslims in India and normalise persecution they suffer in India.”
France 24 also stated that Bangladeshi students were conducting night patrols to prevent these attacks on Hindus.
Misleading Narrative
European media outlets seem intent on shaping a narrative to convince audiences to look favourably upon the new government in Dhaka led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This suppression of information might be a strategic move, as it could later benefit these media and their preferred government through political and economic advantages, including trade, in support of their cause.
Several regional reports confirm that minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, have been subjected to attacks and vandalism. Western media cannot dismiss or minimise these events as fabrications by selectively presenting only specific information. The ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh is thoroughly documented. France, dealing with its issues of “wokeism” related to events like the Paris Olympics, should focus on accurate reporting rather than spreading misinformation.
Hindus In Bangladesh
According to Bangladesh’s 2022 census, Hindus make up approximately 7.96% of the population, with other minorities (Buddhists, Christians, etc.) constituting less than 1%. Muslims account for 91.08% of the 165.16 million people in Bangladesh. In a democratic context, winning elections requires substantial support from the majority Muslim population, who previously supported Sheikh Hasina.
However, since Hasina left, mobs targeted only Hindu temples and minority sites. There are no reports of attacks on mosques or Muslim sites. It is disgraceful of European media to label this violence as purely political when it bears a communal aspect.
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