The Anti Fascist Coalition (AFA), a citizen's platform, expressed serious concern on Saturday regarding Kai Schultz's article, "Chaos in Bangladesh Opens Doors to Islamic Extremists," published on September 27, 2024, in Bloomberg.

The platform stated that the article contains multiple factual inaccuracies and unverified claims that misrepresent the current situation in Bangladesh.

In a press release, AFA outlined the discrepancies in the Bloomberg piece.

Firstly, the article relies heavily on the account of Ms. Tureen Afroz, who claims to have been attacked by an Islamist mob at her home.

However, there is no official report, eyewitness testimony, or verifiable evidence to support these serious allegations.

This lack of corroboration raises concerns about the credibility of the claims. Responsible journalism requires thorough fact-checking, particularly when reporting on sensitive incidents that could heighten tensions, AFA emphasized.

Secondly, the statement asserted that the portrayal of Bangladesh as descending into chaos and becoming a haven for Islamic extremists is not backed by factual evidence.

“The recent political changes in Bangladesh resulted from a peaceful movement advocating for democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is actively working to maintain stability and promote democratic values. Portraying the nation as lawless undermines these efforts and presents a distorted view to international readers,” it said.

“Furthermore, the assertion that thousands of Hindus are fleeing to India due to sectarian violence lacks substantiation. Official records and reports from credible organizations do not support this claim. Such statements misinform and can potentially harm communal harmony and incite unnecessary fear,” it added.

The statement highlighted that Tureen Afroz is a beneficiary of the previous regime and has a history of unethical behavior, including involvement in secret conspiracies.

It also noted that she is significantly invested in a judicial system criticized by organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the British Supreme Court for its failure to ensure due process.

“Her statements, therefore, cannot be taken at face value without thorough scrutiny.

Given these concerns, we respectfully request Bloomberg Business to issue a Correction or Retraction. We urge you to reassess the article's content and consider correcting or retracting to address the factual inaccuracies and unverified claims presented,” read the statement.

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