Since the historic overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, Bangladesh has embarked on a challenging political recovery process that will shape its trajectory for decades. A key aspect of this transition has been managing the country’s complex religious, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. Recent incidents and reports about threats to religious minorities have sparked widespread debate and concern. These issues have been further amplified by the spread of disinformation online, including narratives leveraged by Hindu nationalist elements in India, which invoke fears of Hindus being attacked in Bangladesh. This dynamic has escalated political tensions between the two nations, complicating efforts to ensure stability in the region.

The Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) invites you to a virtual panel discussion exploring the emerging threats to minority rights in Bangladesh, the role of social media platforms in propagating disinformation and hate speech, the influence of Indian government-linked campaigns and online disinformation efforts by Hindu nationalist supporters based in India, and the broader implications for India-Bangladesh relations.

Don’t miss the opportunity to delve into one of the most pressing issues facing South Asia today.

Panelists

Michael Kugelman

Michael Kugelman, the Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, is a leading specialist on Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan and their relations with the United States. The editor or co-editor of 11 books, he has written for The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and other publications, covering topics ranging from U.S. policy in Afghanistan to terrorism to water, energy, and food security in the region.

Zina Tasreen

Zina Tasreen has been a journalist with The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English newspaper, for 12 years. Zina was previously the business editor and is now a senior editor for the newspaper. Zina did her undergraduation and Masters in economics from the University of Warwick. As a senior editor, Zina deals with disinformation being generated from India on the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh post-August 5th, 2024. 

Shuvashish Dip  

Shuvashish Dip is a fact-checker and researcher with a particular focus on regional disinformation. He is also an educator dedicated to enhancing media and information literacy among teenagers in rural Bangladesh.

Oliur Sun 

Oliur Sun is a writer, thinker, and activist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Currently, Sun is a Lecturer at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh and a Tutor at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. He is a consultant at the National Curriculum and Textbook Board and serves as a Language Justice consultant for the Foundation for a Just Society. Co-founder of Onushhor and Bodhichitta, his work centers on political liberation, exploring intersectional marginalities, anti-coloniality, and queerness.

Moderator

Yash Sharma

Yash Sharma is a Lead Researcher at the Center for the Study of Organized Hate’s Violence, Extremism, and Radicalization Program (VERP). He focuses on political mobilization, electoral politics, and ethnoreligious nationalism in South Asia.