A viral video depicts a structure engulfed in flames, with claims that extremists set fire to a Durga Temple in Shyamrai, Dinajpur Sadar, Bangladesh, on March 27. However, Bangladesh police and local sources confirm that the fire resulted from an electrical short circuit. The temple building was reportedly being used as a cotton warehouse at the time.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter), propaganda account @VHindus71 wrote, “The Shyamray Bari Durga Temple in the Maldahpatty area has been set on fire by Jamaat in a devastating blaze. A significant religious and cultural heritage site is now facing grave danger.”
#Bangladesh 🇧🇩: Tragic News from #Dinajpur!
— Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus 🇧🇩 (@VHindus71) March 27, 2025
The Shyamray Bari Durga Temple in the Maldahpatty area has been set on fire by Jamaat in a devastating blaze. A significant religious and cultural heritage site is now facing grave danger.#SaveBangladeshiHindus pic.twitter.com/XNaAo2psrg
Another propaganda account, @salah_shoaib, also shared the video and wrote, “Islamist-Jihadist cronies of Islamofascist Muhammad Yunus set fire on a Durga Temple in Shyamra, Dinajpur Sadar in Bangladesh on March 27 at 11 am.”
🛑 Islamist-Jihadist cronies of Islamofascist Muhammad Yunus set fire on a Durga Temple in Shyamra, Dinajpur Sadar in Bangladesh on March 27 at 11 am.@OpIndia_com @hindupost @VHPDigital @BJP4India @RSSorg @eOrganiser @SwarajyaMag @republic @NetworkItv @ians_india @IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/fRxAaMeXwi
— Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury (@salah_shoaib) March 27, 2025
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here: @BanglaFiles, @kavita_tewari, @Raviagrawal300, @sajal7617, @BDcrisis.
The truth about the video, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our attention. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident. We found that the fire was accidental, not a targeted attack on religious minorities.
To verify the claims made by the users and propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found media reports and police sources. According to the Bangladesh Police, the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. They reported that a fire broke out due to an electrical short circuit in the cotton stored at Thakur Bari Durga Mandir (currently used as a cotton warehouse) at Sri Sri Shyamra, near the Municipal Land Office, Sadar Police Station, Dinajpur District.
The fire was brought under control around 00:30 hrs with efforts from the fire service and the removal of burnt cotton using fire extinguishers. Moreover, there are no verified or credible sources indicating that this was a targeted attack.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the fire was accidental, not a targeted attack.
3099
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) March 28, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video showing a structure engulfed in flames has been circulated with claims that extremists set fire to a Durga Temple in Shyamrai, Dinajpur Sadar, Bangladesh, on March 27. However, according to the Bangladesh police, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/6oRTxVsCcS
Intent
Influencers are circulating videos from Bangladesh with misleading claims to set their narrative based on religion.
Conclusion
Claim– Muslim extremists targeted and set fire to a Hindu temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
Fact– The fire was caused due to an electrical short circuit, not a targeted attack against the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Related Article: Fact Check: Old video of mob violence and arson from Sylhet, Bangladesh, falsely shared as West Bengal’s Malda – D-Intent Data
