When Falsehood Becomes a Political Instrument

A Historical and Scientific Inquiry into Recurrent Disinformation Practices in Bangladesh

Presented by: Minhaz Samad Chowdhury

Independent Human Rights Defender

Focus: State Violence, Political Rights, Religious Minority Rights, Democratic Accountability

Introduction

In any functioning democracy, disagreement is inevitable and pluralism is healthy. What undermines democracy, however, is the systematic use of false or misleading narratives to evade responsibility and distort public understanding. In Bangladesh, political discourse has too often been shaped not by evidence, but by post-event denials, narrative reversals, and blame shifting, particularly during moments of public scrutiny.

This investigative article examines a recurring pattern of political communication associated with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, using historical records and established scientific frameworks. The purpose is not to judge ideology or belief, but to assess observable behavior and accountability within democratic norms.

Defining Political Falsehood: A Scientific Lens

"The deliberate or reckless circulation of claims that are demonstrably false or misleading, intended to influence public perception, deflect accountability, or preserve legitimacy."

This analysis applies that definition conservatively, focusing only on repeated patterns where claims conflict with verifiable evidence.

Historical Continuity of Narrative Reversal

The 1971 Liberation War Context

Extensive historical documentation shows that Jamaat-e-Islami opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. In subsequent decades, however, the party has repeatedly attempted to reframe or minimize this position. Political historians describe this behavior as retrospective narrative reconstruction—a strategy used by political actors seeking legitimacy after transformative national events.

Democracy and Constitutional Engagement

A second recurring pattern involves conditional engagement with democratic principles:

• Initial resistance to secular constitutional values
• Subsequent participation in electoral politics
• Later reinterpretation of past opposition as contextual or misunderstood

Political science literature identifies this as strategic ambiguity, allowing organizations to appeal to ideologically distinct audiences without reconciling contradictions.

Externalization of Blame: A Recurrent Response

Across multiple controversies, a familiar pattern emerges where responsibility is shifted to external factors:

Situation	Responsibility Shifted To
Controversial statements	Media misrepresentation
Documented positions	Political conspiracy
Public backlash	Foreign or hostile agendas
Digital evidence	Claims of cyber manipulation

This aligns with what psychologists term an external locus of control, often observed in highly centralized or ideologically rigid political movements.

Human Rights Implications

For religious and other vulnerable minorities in Bangladesh, the consequences of information disorder are tangible. Accountability for violence is often delayed or denied as victims' experiences are reframed as political plots. When truth is distorted, justice is inevitably postponed.

Conclusion

The evidence points to a consistent conclusion: misleading or false narratives are not isolated communication failures. They reflect a strategic approach to political survival. Bangladesh’s democratic resilience depends on anchoring political debate in verifiable truth. Democracy cannot thrive where accountability is optional.

Author's Note:
This article is based solely on publicly available records, historical documentation, and recognized scientific frameworks. It does not evaluate personal faith or private belief. Its sole purpose is to promote evidence-based democratic accountability and human rights awareness.