Lighthouse Journalism came across a video being shared widely on social media platforms, claiming to show a Hindu woman crying as the situation was so bad that they had to either convert to Islam or leave Bangladesh. The date on the video was mentioned to be 12th August, 2024. During the investigation we found that the video is old and the person seen in the video is actress, Azmeri Haque Badhon.
Claim:
X user Vikram Pratap Singh shared the video on his profile.
Check the archive version of the post here.
Other users too are sharing the video with the same claim.
Investigation:
We started our investigation by checking comments on the post. A few comments suggested that the woman seen in the video is Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Hoque Badhon.
We then ran a Google keyword search on the same.
The comment also mentioned that the video is from August 1.
We then found the video from the Quota protest uploaded on August 1, 2024 on YouTube channel, Samakal News.
The video was titled (translation) : We will reform the country: Actress Bandhan
We also found the video uploaded on Jamuna Entertainment.
We also found a news report on Rtv news uploaded on 1st Aug, 2024.
The report said: Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon appeared at the Farmgate area, ignoring the rain on Thursday (August 1). She burst into tears while speaking on behalf of the students. While holding the microphone in the rally and crying, Bandhan said, “My child could have been there today.” You can’t live in peace like this. These must be stopped. We all want justice. We want state justice.
Another news report mentioned: Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon said, “We are not mentally sound from the very day the shooting started. We express solidarity with the students. We want justice for those who were killed.”
We found another news report in dailysun.
The report mentioned: Actors Mamunur Rashid, Mosharraf Karim, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Siam Ahmed, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, Zakia Bari Mamo, Iresh Zaker, Nazia Haque Orsha, Nusrat Imroz Tisha, Sabila Nur, Shohel Mondol, filmmakers Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Ashfaque Nipun, Syed Ahmed Shawki, Redoan Rony, were present, among others.
At the rally, attendees demanded all murders be accounted for and prosecuted, shootings and violence stopped, mass arrests and harassment stopped, and the release of detained students. The report further mentioned: Azmeri Haque Badhon said, “I am very devastated. If there is little conscience, no one can be well in this situation. We have come here today because we are with the students.”
We also connected with a fact checker from Bangladesh, Tanvir Mahatab Abir who confirmed that the woman is an actress named Azmeri Haque, who is a Muslim and the video is from 1st August.
Conclusion: Video of Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon shared with claims of a Hindu woman crying. The video is from 1st August when visual artists came out on the streets and demanded all murders to be accounted for and prosecuted. Viral claim is misleading.
