Video from Bangladesh shared as visuals of 'Bakrid sacrifice' in West Bengal

By: Ankita Kulkarni
June 21 2024

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A screenshot of a viral post claiming that the video shows Bakrid celebrations in West Bengal. (Source: X/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

(Trigger warning: This story contains distressing visuals. Reader discretion is advised.)

What is the claim?

A video circulating on social media depicts dead animals on a residential pathway, purportedly covered in blood. The video claims to show scenes from recent Eid al-Adha celebrations in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) alongside the video alleges, “Scene of celebrating Bakrid in Bengal. More than 200 cows were slaughtered. That too in front of a residential complex.” As of the time of this fact-check, the post has amassed 481,900 views. Archived links to this and similar posts can be viewed here, here, and here.

Screenshots of viral posts circulating on social media. (Source: X/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is an Islamic festival. It was celebrated in India this year on June 17, 2024.

However, contrary to these claims, the viral video was not filmed in West Bengal but in Bangladesh.

What are the facts?

A reverse search of the viral footage led us to a post shared on X (archived here) dated July 1, 2023, where the same visuals seen in the viral clip were identified. The caption stated, “Hindus Celebrating Holi in India? No, This visual is from a housing society in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Eid al-Adha / Bakrid 2023!” This indicates that the video predates the recent Bakrid celebrations.

Further investigation led us to a YouTube video (archived here) uploaded on the channel Amar Chokh on October 24, 2022, showing an aerial view of buildings similar to those in the viral clip. The Bengali caption translates roughly to: “Dream Nagar Residential Project of Drishtinandan Mirpur Sagufta Swpnanagar Residential Flat Project.” Notably, at timestamps 1:06 and 3:00, a building with red-colored tiling on the ground similar to the one seen at 0:02 in the viral video can be observed.

Comparison between the viral clip and the YouTube video. (Source: X/YouTube/Screenshot)

Similarly, a video (archived here) detailing the area was posted on the official Facebook account of Shopnonagar, Mirpur, Dhaka, on August 25, 2022. The caption mentions, “1545 Sq Ft Flat Govt Amenities Next To Mirpur DOHS|| Shagupta Shapno Nagor Area Flat (Translated from Bengali).” At 0:33 and 9:28, the building seen in the viral video is clearly visible.

Comparison between the viral clip and the Facebook video. (Source: X/Facebook/Screenshot)

Further verification via Google Maps allowed us to geolocate the residential area on Google Earth, confirming that the video originated in Bangladesh, not India.

While Logically Facts could not independently verify the date or context of the viral video, the evidence conclusively proves that it was not filmed in West Bengal, India, but in Bangladesh.

The verdict

A video from Bangladesh has been misrepresented as depicting Bakrid celebrations in West Bengal.