Fact Check: Photo of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina crying has gone viral on social media

Photo of Sheikh Hasina crying has gone viral on social media, with claims that it was taken in India. However, the actual context of the picture is different.

Claim:

A viral image claims to show Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina crying after allegedly fleeing to India following her resignation due to massive protests that have reportedly resulted in over 400 deaths since mid-July 2024.

The Viral Narrative:

Social media platforms have seen the widespread sharing of a photo allegedly depicting Sheikh Hasina in tears after stepping down as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and seeking refuge in India. The posts imply that violent protests led to her resignation and that the Bangladesh military has taken control of the country.

For example, a Facebook post by a social media user asserts that the image was captured after Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a military coup. The post even suggests a parallel situation in Nigeria, urging similar action. Similarly, a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the photo with claims that Sheikh Hasina is currently in India under tight security, hidden from public view.

Fact Check:

FactCheck India investigated the authenticity of this viral image and the accompanying claims. Through a reverse image search using Google, it was revealed that the photo in question is featured in a BBC news article from July 26, 2024. However, the context provided by the BBC clarifies that the image was taken when Sheikh Hasina visited a metro station in Bangladesh that had been damaged during anti-government protests.

This means that the photo is not recent and does not show Sheikh Hasina crying after fleeing to India. Instead, it depicts a moment from her visit to a protest-hit site within Bangladesh, long before the current rumors surfaced.

Conclusion:

The claim that Sheikh Hasina fled to India and was photographed crying after resigning as Prime Minister is entirely unfounded. The viral image is being shared with false context, as it was originally taken during her visit to a damaged area in Bangladesh. There is no credible evidence to support the claims that Sheikh Hasina has left Bangladesh or that the military has taken control. It’s crucial to verify the accuracy of such claims before spreading them on social media platforms.

For All News Buffs

 Quick things to know about misinformation

1. Fake news vs misinformation

‘Fake news’ refers to false information and news online. However, it’s more appropriate to use ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’.

Misinformation is false information spread by people who think it’s true.

Disinformation is false information spread by people who know it’s false.

2.What forms can misinformation or ‘fake news’ take?

Misinformation comes in different forms

Mis/disinformation and fake news might look like:

• social media hoaxes
• AI adverts
• phishing emails
• popular videos
• sponsored posts

Misinformation is hard to spot for children who might not yet have the skills to fact-check. It can spread on social media, through satire news websites, via parody videos and other spaces. Read more about misinformation in our latest explainer in media literacy.