Viral social media claims attributing fake remarks on energy crisis to government officials debunked as satirical fabrications
Photo Collected
Severe disruptions in gas and electricity supplies have triggered widespread public hardship across the country, impacting industrial operations, transportation, residential consumers, and compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations. The national grid has experienced significant supply shortages, leading to a concurrent decline in power generation.
Amidst this crisis, a series of fabricated quotes attributed to high-ranking government officials have circulated widely across various social media platforms. Fact-check investigations reveal that these statements originated from satirical and parody pages but were subsequently presented as authentic remarks by various Facebook groups and profiles.
One viral graphic attributed to the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, purportedly quotes him as suggesting that citizens should not criticize the government for 16 to 17-hour power outages, citing his own experience of growing up without electricity. A comprehensive review of the official Facebook pages of the Minister and the Ministry, as well as credible media reports, confirms that no such statement was ever made.
The source of this graphic was traced to a Facebook page titled “Gupto Tv,” which identifies itself as a satire and parody platform. The page explicitly states that its content is intended solely for entertainment purposes. Similar satirical content was also used to falsely attribute remarks to Prime Minister Tareque Rahman and political advisor Ruhul Kabir Rizvi regarding the energy crisis.
One fabricated graphic attributed to Prime Minister Tareque Rahman claimed he was withholding 24-hour electricity to honor his mother’s tenure, during which power was limited. Another fake post suggested the Prime Minister dismissed those complaining about shortages as “agents of fascists.” Investigative searches across official communication channels, including the Prime Minister’s verified social media and media cells, confirmed these claims are entirely baseless.
Similarly, false attributions were made regarding Minister Tuku, with one viral card suggesting he threatened legal action against those complaining about high electricity bills. This graphic was traced to a Facebook page named “Dainik Mollahr Desh,” which also identifies its content as satire.
Reliable media outlets and official records show no evidence that any of the targeted officials made the quoted remarks. Furthermore, recent official statements from Prime Minister Tareque Rahman regarding the energy crisis have acknowledged the reality of the supply shortages and outlined government efforts to mitigate the situation, directly contradicting the tone and content of the viral misinformation.
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