Video Misidentified as Hindu Man’s Last Moments Sparks Outrage

Videos depicting the assault of a Hindu garment worker accused of blasphemy in Bangladesh have circulated widely online, provoking outrage in India. However, footage that claims to show the final moments of the alleged victim, Dipu Chandra Das, does not depict him but a student from Dhaka College who was arrested and later released. The incident highlights the spread of misinformation surrounding sensitive events in the region.

The video in question, which shows a man being dragged away by police officers, gained traction following Das’s death on December 18, 2025. Social media posts falsely claim the footage captures Das before his killing. Reports indicate that the video actually emerged a month prior, on November 18, 2025, and depicts a completely different individual.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner, Masud Alam, confirmed to AFP on December 28 that the man in the video is not Das. He stated, “My fellow police officers caught him sensing a protester. But we freed him after learning he was a student of nearby Dhaka College.” The police further clarified that no evidence of blasphemy exists in the case related to Das, and they have arrested ten individuals in connection with his death.

The misinformation surrounding Das’s killing has fueled protests in India, where officials are demanding greater protection for minorities in Bangladesh. The incident has also been linked to rising anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh, particularly following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a significant student leader during the pro-democracy uprising in 2024.

Videos falsely attributing to Das’s last moments have circulated across various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X. The misleading posts often include Hindi-language text asserting the man is Das, accompanied by images of the deceased garment worker.

A reverse image search of the video revealed its origins in news reports from November 2025. Bhorer Kagoj, a Bangladeshi media outlet, shared the footage on its Facebook and YouTube pages, titled, “What happened to this Dhaka College student?” This report, along with a longer version from another outlet, NPB News, showed the man identifying himself as Abdul Momin and insisting he was not involved in any protests.

Keyword searches also uncovered a report by the Prothom Alo news site detailing clashes between police and protesters in Dhaka on November 17, 2025. These protests were sparked by a verdict involving the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, regarding alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s mass uprising.

With the situation unfolding, it is crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of content before sharing, particularly in a context as sensitive as the current climate in Bangladesh. The spread of misinformation can further escalate tensions and lead to misunderstanding and unrest within communities already facing significant challenges.

As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dipu Chandra Das’s death, the importance of accurate reporting and responsible sharing of information cannot be overstated.