Dhaka: A deliberate attempt to spread misleading disinformation using an old statement of Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul was recently detected by BanglaFact, the fact-checking and media research unit of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BanglaFact uncovered the false claim highlighting a protest speech delivered by Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul in 2024. The speech followed the martyrdom of Abu Sayeed in a police shooting during the mass uprising. Contrary to the misinformation, Dr. Asif Nazrul did not call for the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser but rather demanded the resignation of the then Home Minister of the Awami League regime, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
The BanglaFact investigation team reported that a video from the July mass uprising of 2024, showing Dr. Asif Nazrul calling for the resignation of then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal over the killing of Abu Sayeed, is currently being circulated online. The video is falsely claiming that he demanded the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
BanglaFact clarified that the video asserting Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul’s demand for the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury is misleading and untrue. The footage, dated July 16, 2024, captures Dr. Asif Nazrul’s public demand for the resignation of Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after the police killed Abu Sayeed, a student and movement coordinator, during the protests.
Upon conducting a reverse image search, BanglaFact found that the visuals match footage from a report published on July 18, 2024, by News24’s YouTube channel, confirming the images are not recent. On July 16, 2024, in response to Abu Sayeed’s death, Dr. Asif Nazrul demanded exemplary punishment for the involved police officer and the resignation of Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
In his statement, Dr. Nazrul expressed his outrage, questioning the Minister’s integrity and understanding of the Liberation War’s spirit. He condemned the police actions as cold-blooded murder and demanded accountability.
BanglaFact reported similar information in the Daily Ittefaq on July 18, 2024, asserting no credible media or reliable source supports the claim about Dr. Asif Nazrul demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
BanglaFact continues its efforts to combat rumors, fake news, and misinformation in Bangladesh, ensuring the public receives accurate information.