Viral video depicts restaurant on fire in Bangladesh, not a 'Hindu temple'

What's the claim?

A video circulating widely on social media shows a building on fire, with claims that it depicts a Hindu temple on fire in Bangladesh. The unrest in Bangladesh has escalated over recent weeks following student protests against the Sheikh Hasina-led government over a contentious job quota policy.

The 12-second video features a building with intricate architectural elements—arches, domes, and columns—engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing from the roof and windows. The surroundings include a fence and palm trees.

On X (formerly Twitter), the video has been shared with captions such as: "One more Hindu temple set on fire by Bangladeshi barbarian Islamists. Where are the Brothers of LKFC Zubair who were protecting Hindu temples in Bangladesh? Share this widely and let the world see Islamic barbarism. #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus." One such post has amassed approximately 434,200 views. Archives of these posts can be found here, here, here, and here.

Screenshots of the viral X posts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

Multiple reports (see here, here, here, and here) from Bangladesh indicate that temples, homes, and businesses belonging to Hindus have been targeted amid the unrest. However, the building shown in the video and misidentified as a temple on social media is actually a coffee shop and restaurant located in Satkhira, Bangladesh.

What we found

A reverse image search revealed an image similar to the viral video in a report by Kalbela, a Dhaka-based newspaper, published on August 5, 2024. The report detailed how, on the evening of August 5, a crowd vandalized and set ablaze various locations, including the Satkhira District Jail, in reaction to news of Hasina's resignation. The crowd also targeted the homes of Awami League leaders and public buildings. The report did not mention any fire at a Hindu temple.

Further investigation led us to a Facebook post (archived here) featuring screenshots from the viral video and a YouTube video of the same building with a person standing in front of it. The post clarified that the video depicted a restaurant in Satkhira, not a temple.

Following this lead, we located a YouTube video (archived here) from January 3, 2024, titled "Raj Prasad Coffee Shop & Restaurant Kalaroa Satkhira❤." The video provides a detailed tour of the establishment, showcasing both its interior and exterior. Around the two-minute mark, the video reveals the restaurant's seating area, which includes numerous tables and chairs typical of any restaurant. The footage confirms that the building is indeed a restaurant, not a temple. Additionally, a board in front of the restaurant identifies it as a restaurant and resort.

A screenshot from the YouTube video shows a board in front of the restaurant identifying it as a restaurant and resort. (Source: YouTube)

Other YouTube videos by vloggers featuring the same building have been uploaded in recent months. One video (archived here), titled "Raj Prasad Restaurant Kalaroa, Satkhira," shows the building during a drive-by.

Comparison of the viral video and a YouTube video showing the restaurant in Satkhira district (Source: X/YouTube, modified by Logically Facts)

Using Google Maps, we geolocated the structure and found images of the building under construction in February 2023, the most recent Street View available.

Screenshot of the street view of the restaurant and reviews of the place. (Source: Google Maps)

Current unrest in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has faced weeks of turmoil since student protests began in late June. The situation deteriorated with arson and police clashes, resulting in several protester deaths.

On July 21, the Supreme Court partially repealed the job quota policy, mandating that 93 percent of government jobs be based on merit. However, protests against the Awami League and Hasina continued.

On August 5, Hasina resigned and fled the country. The Bangladesh Army established an interim government with Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus as chief adviser.

The verdict

The claim that the viral video shows a Hindu temple burning in Bangladesh amid the country's unrest is false. The building on fire is a restaurant in Satkhira district, incorrectly identified as a Hindu temple.