Misinformation Targets Rohingya in India ^{CEFR B1}

Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar since 2017 face growing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim narratives in India. Misinformation and manipulated images from camps in Bangladesh often cross borders and shape public opinion in South Asia. Between 2017 and 2025 Indian fact-checking organisations repeatedly debunked false claims about Rohingya.

Several high-profile cases show common themes: a May 2018 viral video that was fabricated; a December 2018 photo claim that came from a Tibetan sky burial; summer 2019 messages that wrongly warned of armed Rohingya kidnapping children; and a May 2020 beating video that was from Bangladesh in 2019. Child-lifting rumours contributed to over 30 mob lynching deaths across India between 2017 and 2019.

Analysts say the stories often conflate "Bangladeshi" and "Rohingya" and repeat exaggerated figures. Government statements calling Rohingya illegal immigrants, the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, rising anti-Muslim sentiment and COVID-era claims such as "Corona jihad" have amplified the narratives. Rohingya are stateless and have little media access, making it hard to correct falsehoods; misinformation has led to detention, deportation and violence.