BSS, Dhaka

Fact-checking body Rumor Scanner in an investigation has revealed that ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake) slogan against Litton Kumar Das in a BPL match wasn’t connected to him being Hindu rather this slogan has been raised against many Muslim people, including cricketers, at various times in Bangladesh.

“In fact, this slogan in question is a common practice in Bangladesh,” said a report of the body on its website on Thursday.

It said on January 16, the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) saw the match between Fortune Barisal and Dhaka Capitals. During the match, a group of spectators chanted ‘fake fake’ slogans targeting the wicketkeeper-batter of the Bangladesh national cricket team, Litton Kumar Das.

In the meantime, a video of the incident has been circulated on social media, claiming that this slogan was raised against Litton Kumar Das because he is a Hindu. It was claimed that Islamists use this slogan as an insult against the Hindus of Bangladesh.

On January 16, Dhaka Capitals lost the match to Fortune Barisal in the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. While fielding in that match, some spectators chanted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake) slogans targeting Dhaka Capitals batter Litton Kumar Das.

Later, in the wake of the incident, BPL franchise Dhaka Capitals in a post on their official Facebook page said, “You may see someone shouting in a blurry video, we are watching a national hero scoring the fastest century in BPL history and become part of a record-breaking partnership. You see the criticism, we see a star batter playing the biggest ODI innings for the country, and reaching the highest position in the Test rankings as a batter for the country. You see obstacles, we see the creation of some historic moments. Litton, you are the symbol of our love. You are our pride.”

In addition, another BPL franchise, Rangpur Riders, also posted on their verified Facebook page expressing sympathy for the issue. There, they said, “He wrote countless fairy tales with his bat in the red-green jersey, he gave us an occasion to celebrate! We remember and support that Litton Das. Stay Strong Litton Kumar Das!”

IS THE SLOGAN ‘BHUYA BHUYA’ USED ONLY AGAINST HINDUS IN BANGLADESH?

The trend of chanting ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ slogans has been observed in Bangladesh at different times and in different contexts. Even before the Chittagong Kings vs Fortune Barisal match on January 19, the crowd in front of the main gate of the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium chanted ‘Bhuya, Bhuya’. The Chittagong crowd called the Barisal crowd ‘Bhuya’, and the Barisal crowd responded by saying ‘Bhuya’.

SLOGANS OF ‘FAKE FAKE’ AGAINST MUSLIM CRICKETERS AT VARIOUS TIMES

Even though Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan did not participate in any match of the current BPL season, slogans of ‘Fake Fake’ were raised around him.

Also, in the tenth season of the BPL last year, the audience raised slogans of ‘Fake Fake’ against Shakib Al Hasan in the Sylhet phase match.

After Eid prayers in the same year, slogans of ‘Fake Fake’ were raised against this player. In 2024, former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team and member of parliament Shakib Al Hasan celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr in the United States with his wife and three children. He celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr there on April 10 of that year. That day, he went to the Muslim Center in Jamaica to perform the Eid-ul-Fitr congregation. Some of the people present there and shouted slogans of ‘Fake Fake’ upon seeing him.

Earlier, in 2023, slogans of ‘Fake Fake’ were raised against Shakib Al Hasan. On October 26 of that year, Shakib faced the wrath of a few fans present in Mirpur on his way out after practice. At that time, the fans present chanted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake).

Also, during a BPL match last year, a group of spectators also chanted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake) slogans against former Bangladesh national cricket team captain and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal.

In February last year, spectators also chanted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake) slogans against Bangladesh national cricket team captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto.

In other words, except for Liton Kumar Das, all the Bangladeshi cricketers mentioned here against whom ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake) slogans were chanted are Muslims.

Moreover, a group of students chanted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ (fake, fake) slogans after not being able to watch the game without a ticket during the Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa last year.

‘FAKE FAKE’ SLOGANS TARGETING POLICE

In addition, during last year’s quota movement, students also shouted ‘fake fake’ slogans targeting the police.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque was produced in court on November 11 last year in the case filed for burning eight people to death in a petrol bomb attack on a bus in Chauddagram, Comilla. At that time, an angry crowd including lawyers shouted ‘fake fake’ slogans targeting the former IGP in the court premises.

‘FAKE FAKE’ SLOGANS TARGETING POLITICIANS

On July 31 last year, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader faced anger from former Chhatra League leaders. It is known that such a situation arose when former student leaders were not allowed to speak when he called for an exchange of views. In this perspective, the former student leaders shouted ‘fake fake’ slogans targeting him. Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak was also present at the time.

On August 4 last year, the Nationalist Lawyers Forum raised the ‘fake fake’ slogan in the court premises against Sheikh Hasina, Awami League and Chhatra League.

Earlier, on January 7 last year, during the 12th National Parliament election, when independent candidate for Chittagong-12 (Patia) constituency and National Parliament Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury visited a polling station, Boat activists and supporters blocked his car and shouted “fake fake” slogans.

Also, on November 10 last year, when a Mahila Awami League leader was detained by the police, a group of angry people were seen chanting “fake fake” slogans at her.

Moreover, on January 11, there were allegations of reciprocal attacks between activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement over a mass campaign and leaflet distribution program in favor of the July Declaration. When a press conference was organized about this incident, there was also a scuffle between the two sides. The two groups of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement shouted “fake fake” slogans against each other.

‘FAKE FAKE’ SLOGANS TARGETING TEACHERS

On March 16 last year, a group of students of Jagannath University raised the slogan ‘Fake fake’ against the Vice Chancellor of the university.

In addition, on June 24 last year, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)’s officials and employees blocked the office of Vice Chancellor Professor Satya Prasad Majumder for a few hours before his last working day. At that time, the officials and employees raised the slogan ‘Fake fake’. Later, the Vice Chancellor went to his residence with the help of the police.

On July 16 last year, a group of students attacked a teacher at Dhaka University by raising the slogan ‘Fake fake’ during the quota movement.

‘FAKE FAKE’ SLOGANS TARGETING ENTERTAINMENT STARS

On November 16 last year, the popular heroine of Dhaka cinema, Parimoni, faced an unexpected incident while inaugurating a showroom at Jamuna Future Park. At that time, there was a huge commotion among the security personnel, organizers and the audience. At one stage of the incident, the actress was forced to leave the stage when the audience started chanting ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ slogans targeting Pari.

Earlier, in June 2023, the first episode of the 21st Dhallywood Film and Music Awards was held at the Amazura Hall in Jamaica, New York. Dhallywood actor Zayed Khan was the victim of humor while performing at the Dhallywood Music Awards ceremony. When he went on stage to perform, the audience started shouting ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ at him.

That is, based on the above information, it is clear that in the context of various incidents, the slogan ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ has been raised against people of different classes and professions in Bangladesh at different times; most of whom were Muslims. Therefore, it can be clearly said that this is not a slogan against Hindus, but rather this slogan has been used against people of any religion at different times.

LITTON KUMAR DAS’S RECENT PERFORMANCE

‘0, 0, 2, 4, 0′ these are Litton Kumar Das’ ODI innings last year. This opening batsman could not perform as expected with the bat in 2024. He could not score any runs in 3 of the 5 ODIs he played last year. His run count in 2024 ODIs is 6.

On December 15, BCB director Nazmul Abedin Fahim said about Liton’s recent performance, it would be very sad if we could not get the best out of him. However, everyone is definitely disappointed with his game at the moment. However, we cannot give up, we need to be by his side. I hope he returns to form soon.

Litton Kumar Das did not get a place in the Bangladesh Cricket Team’s squad for the Champions Trophy announced by the BCB on January 12. Litton’s recent poor performance is being blamed for this.

Regarding being left out of the Champions Trophy squad, Litton Kumar Das himself said, “If you talk about the Champions Trophy, it is not in my hands. That is completely the call of the selectors. Who to play, who not to play, it is their call. My job is to perform, which I could not do until now. I was upset about that, how to deliver the performance.”

In other words, it appears that the audience was angry at Litton Kumar Das and shouted ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ slogans because he did not perform as expected, not because of his religion.

Therefore, the claim that ‘Bhuya Bhuya’ slogans were raised against Litton Kumar Das because of being a Hindu is completely false.