Fact Check: Video From Halloween Party In China Viral As Attack On Bangladesh Hindus

Mon Dec 16 08:16:26 UTC 2024: ## Viral Video Falsely Claims to Show Hindus Burned in Bangladesh; Fact-Check Reveals Halloween Stunt

**DHAKA, BANGLADESH/NEW DELHI, INDIA** – A video circulating on social media with the false claim that it depicts the burning of two Hindu men at the stake in Bangladesh has been debunked as a Halloween event from a Chinese theme park. The seven-second clip, widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) with inflammatory captions alleging persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, actually shows the burning of two mannequins.

The fact-check, conducted by BOOM and republished by NDTV, reveals the video originated from a 2018 Halloween party at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai, China. Reverse image searches and cross-referencing with other online videos and news articles from 2018 confirmed the video’s origin and the fact that the “bodies” were mannequins used as part of a Halloween display.

The false narrative gained traction amidst rising communal tensions in Bangladesh following the arrest of a Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das, on November 25th, 2024. This arrest has fueled concerns among right-wing groups in India regarding the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. The video’s deceptive use exploits these existing tensions, aiming to incite further unrest and spread misinformation.

BOOM’s investigation highlights the ease with which manipulated or misleading content can spread online, particularly during times of heightened political and social sensitivity. The organization traced the video back to previous instances of misinformation, including a false claim that it depicted cannibalism in Haiti. Multiple sources, including a Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper, Sin Chew Daily, had previously debunked similar claims surrounding the video.

Authorities are urged to address the spread of such misinformation and to ensure accurate information is disseminated to the public. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for media literacy and responsible social media usage.