Recently, a video circulated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) claimed that a Hindu temple in Bangladesh had been vandalized. The video shows several individuals wearing caps and traditional attire vandalizing a temple and destroying idols.

Watch the videos circulated on X (formerly Twitter) here (Archive), here (Archive), and here (Archive).

Fact-Check

An investigation by Rumor Scanner revealed that the video does not depict an incident in Bangladesh but originates from Pakistan. It captures a 2021 temple vandalism incident, which has been misleadingly associated with Bangladesh in recent claims.

The investigation uncovered a report on the website of the Pakistani newspaper The Dawn, dated August 5, 2021. The report, titled “Mob ransacks temple after minor boy gets bail in desecration case,” provided detailed information about the incident.

An analysis of the videos from the report and the viral claim revealed similarities between the temple and the individuals involved in the attack. This suggests that the viral video was recorded during the same incident but with a different device.

According to the report, an 8-year-old Hindu boy was arrested in Bhong, Rahim Yar Khan district, approximately 590 kilometers from Lahore, for allegedly urinating in a madrasa library. Following his release on bail due to his minor status, local mobs attacked a temple in the area. The viral video captures this temple attack.

The investigation also uncovered an X post by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a former member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, dated August 4, 2021. The video in the post matches the footage shared in the viral claims.

Comparison – 1

Comparison – 2

An X post by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, dated August 5, 2021, identified the vandalized temple as a Ganesh temple and highlighted the government’s efforts to restore it.

Conclusion

The viral video claiming temple vandalism in Bangladesh is actually footage of an old incident from Pakistan, rendering the circulated claims misleading.