The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser has criticized a news report from the Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) regarding the killing of a Hindu man at a crematorium in Natore, labeling it as "misleading and exaggerated."
In a statement shared on its verified Facebook page, CA Press Wing Facts, the Press Wing clarified that the incident was initially believed to involve a theft at the crematorium, resulting in the death of a man.
“However, PTI inaccurately described it as an act of communal violence without proper verification," the statement read.
On Saturday, PTI’s report was based on a video posted by Radharaman Das, the Kolkata ISKCON spokesperson, on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Notably, no Bangladeshi authorities, Hindu leaders, or the victim’s relatives were cited in the coverage. The news item was subsequently published by several Indian outlets, including Hindustan Times and The Indian Express.
Hrishikesh Gauranga Das, an executive committee member of ISKCON Bangladesh, condemned the reporting, stating, "It is irresponsible to portray an incident as a communal murder without proper verification. Such exaggerated narratives risk harming communal harmony in Bangladesh."
He also confirmed that Tarun Kumar Das, the victim, was not affiliated with ISKCON and urged the media to seek accurate information from local or official sources before publishing.
Police reports indicate that the body of 60-year-old Tarun Kumar Das was discovered on Saturday at the Bara Harishpur cremation ground in Natore’s Sadar Police Station jurisdiction. Authorities suspect that he was strangled after shouting during a burglary attempt targeting bronze plates at the crematorium’s Bhogghar area. According to police, some bronze items were indeed stolen from the site.
A local Hindu leader noted that the victim had been mentally ill for an extended period and had been staying at the cremation ground for several days. Md Mahbubor Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, stated, "Preliminary findings suggest drug addicts might have committed the theft. However, all possible motives are being investigated."
Satya Narayan Roy Tipu, general secretary of the Natore cremation committee, further clarified that Tarun Kumar Das was neither a member of the committee nor a priest. "He was mentally unstable and had no affiliation with ISKCON or any other organization. We do not believe this incident has any communal undertones," he said.
The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, urging media outlets to avoid sensationalism that could disrupt communal peace in Bangladesh.
BDST: 1929 HRS, DEC 22, 2024
MSK
