FROM PAGE 3

statement. The viral clip was a 10-second extract from a speech of more than three minutes, originally posted on the Facebook page of the daily Samakal.

In the full video, Khan criticises what he describes as “religion traders”, saying they could issue “bizarre and strange fatwas” to gain power. He adds that people of all faiths --Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians -- would resist such attempts through the ballot.

Fact-checking platform Dismislab said the BNP leader was criticising a political party, but selective editing and a misleading headline created confusion.

In another instance, a portion of a statement by BNP-nominated Manikganj-1 candidate SA Jinnah Kabir was circulated with claims that he threatened to expel the Hindu community and Awami League supporters if the BNP was not voted into power.

The clip was shared on the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Awami League, the Basherkella page, and several pages operating under media outlet names. Many users shared the video and called for his arrest.

Verification shows the 28-second clip was taken out of context from a meeting with members of the Hindu community in Baniajuri union of Ghior upazila.

The full eight-minute video, posted on Kabir’s verified Facebook profile, shows him criticising Jamaat-e-Islami for its role during the 1971 Liberation War, including allegations of targeting Sanatan followers.

“The video does not show threats against followers of the Sanatan religion; it is criticism of Jamaat-e-Islami that has been misleadingly presented by removing context,” Dismislab said.

Election observers say such incidents point to a broader trend of religious rhetoric being selectively framed to polarise voters.