Did Fakhrul Really Snub Jamaat or Was It an AI Illusion? The Controversy That Shook Opposition Politics in Bangladesh
A mysterious “AI interview” claimed BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul rebuked Jamaat, sparking fury and denials. Was it political mischief, media failure, or proof that truth itself is up for debate in Bangladesh?
কলকাতার দৈনিক এই সময়-এ প্রকাশিত এক সাক্ষাৎকারে বিএনপি মহাসচিব মির্জা ফখরুলের জামায়াতবিরোধী মন্তব্য ঘিরে তীব্র বিতর্কের জন্ম হয়েছে। মির্জা ফখরুল বলছেন, এটি “এআই-নির্মিত ভুয়া খবর”; যদিও পত্রিকাটির দাবি, সাক্ষাৎকার সত্য। রাজনীতি, গণমাধ্যম ও প্রযুক্তির এই টানাপোড়েনে প্রশ্ন উঠছে, বাংলাদেশের রাজনীতিতে সত্যের স্থান কোথায়?
When a Kolkata-based Indian daily, Ei Samay, published an interview on September 22 claiming that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had dismissed Jamaat-e-Islami as “overstepping its bounds,” the story ricocheted across South Asian political circles. Within hours, social media was ablaze. Jamaat leaders issued an angry rebuttal. And by the next day, Fakhrul himself was on the phone from New York, denouncing the report as “fake,” “AI-generated,” and “completely fabricated.”
But the controversy raised more questions than it settled. Could a mainstream Indian newspaper really publish an entirely fictitious interview? Was Fakhrul trying to contain political fallout within Bangladesh’s fragmented opposition? Or does this episode reflect something deeper, a crisis of credibility and information in the digital era, where artificial intelligence and political disinformation blur the boundaries between fact and fiction?
A Controversial “Interview”
Ei Samay, a Bengali-language newspaper under the Times of India Group, reported that it had interviewed Fakhrul at the BNP chairperson’s office in Dhaka’s Gulshan on September 4. The piece, headlined “Why is India keeping BNP and Jamaat in the same bracket? questions Mirza Fakhrul”, quoted him making blunt remarks about seat-sharing negotiations with Jamaat-e-Islami.
According to the report, Fakhrul claimed that Jamaat had demanded 30 seats from BNP for the next national election, but the BNP showed “little interest.” He was further quoted as saying:
“We offered a much smaller number, which they found unacceptable. I assure you: we will not allow Jamaat to overstep its bounds. We’ve unnecessarily given them more priority than they deserve as a political force.”
If true, these comments would mark one of the sharpest public rebukes of Jamaat by a senior BNP leader in years. BNP and Jamaat, though allies in past elections, have had a strained relationship since 2018. Jamaat’s registration was cancelled by Bangladesh’s Election Commission that year due to its Islamist charter conflicting with the secular Constitution. Yet, the two parties continued informal coordination in anti-government campaigns.
For Ei Samay’s readers, Fakhrul’s statements were politically significant. They suggested BNP’s possible strategic distancing from Jamaat, a message that could resonate positively with India, which has long viewed Jamaat with suspicion over its alleged past ties to extremism.
However, the BNP leadership’s reaction was swift and categorical: Fakhrul never gave such an interview.
The Backlash and BNP’s Denial
The day after publication, Jamaat-e-Islami issued a strongly worded press statement. Its Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, expressed disbelief and outrage:
“It is difficult for us to believe that such completely false, disrespectful, and vengeful comments have been made by a senior politician like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir… If these comments are indeed his, then we are forced to protest and condemn them.”
For Jamaat, the issue was not only about political insults but also about alliance optics. In an increasingly repressive political climate, both BNP and Jamaat have faced crackdowns from the ruling Awami League government. A perception of rift could further isolate Jamaat and erode its relevance in any future opposition coalition.
Fakhrul responded quickly to contain the damage. Speaking to the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) from New York, where he was accompanying Nobel laureate and interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to the 80th UN General Assembly session, Fakhrul rejected the Ei Samay piece outright:
“That news is fake. They [Ei Samay] used artificial intelligence to create this false and misleading report. It is intentional. I never gave any interview to Ei Samay of Kolkata.”
He added, “No political leader could make such absurd comments as quoted in that article. It’s completely imaginary.”
Meanwhile, Ei Samay doubled down. The outlet posted two photocards on its verified Facebook page, captioned:
“At the Gulshan office of Khaleda Zia, chairperson of BNP, the largest political party in Bangladesh at this moment. Anamitra Chatterjee with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the 4th of September, 2025.”
The post included what appeared to be photographs of the reporter with Fakhrul, suggesting that an in-person interview did take place. That claim has not been independently verified.
AI, Authenticity, and the Crisis of Credibility
Fakhrul’s dismissal of the interview as “AI-generated” has sparked intense debate. Was the “AI” accusation a genuine claim of digital fabrication, or a rhetorical shield to deflect political embarrassment?
Artificial intelligence tools have indeed made it alarmingly easy to synthesize text, voices, and even images that appear authentic. AI-generated “deepfake” videos and fabricated interviews have already begun circulating in South Asian politics. Yet, producing a fake print interview, complete with quoted language and contextual political analysis, typically involves editorial oversight and verification processes that make it difficult for a major publication to claim innocence.
On the other hand, media outlets in India and Bangladesh have occasionally published politically motivated or poorly verified reports about each other’s domestic affairs, often feeding national narratives rather than journalistic integrity. Ei Samay’s alleged interview could thus be viewed through that lens: an attempt to position BNP as a “moderate” alternative to Jamaat in the eyes of Indian policymakers, who remain wary of Islamist politics across the border.
If Fakhrul’s remarks were genuine, they could have been politically pragmatic. BNP, under pressure to distance itself from its controversial ally, may want to signal ideological moderation before any future engagement with India or Western democracies. Yet, openly disparaging Jamaat risks alienating a portion of its conservative base inside Bangladesh.
In that delicate balancing act, denying the interview outright by invoking “AI fabrication” might have seemed the most expedient solution.
The Political Subtext: BNP, Jamaat, and India
At its heart, the controversy reveals the enduring complexities of opposition politics in Bangladesh. BNP’s relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami has long been a double-edged sword.
Historically, the two parties formed tactical alliances, most notably during the 2001 national election, when their coalition swept to power. But later Jamaat’s alleged association with violent extremism, its opposition to the 1971 Liberation War narrative, and the war crimes trials of its top leaders have made it a political liability.
For BNP, balancing ideological distance with practical cooperation has been a recurring challenge. Many within the BNP privately acknowledge that the party’s association with Jamaat has hindered its ability to win back urban and centrist voters.
In recent years, BNP has also tried to reframe its image to appeal to international audiences, especially India. Fakhrul himself, in past statements, has emphasized BNP’s commitment to regional cooperation and democracy. The Ei Samay headline, “Why is India keeping BNP and Jamaat in the same bracket?” captures this frustration: BNP sees itself unfairly equated with Islamist politics in Indian narratives.
From that perspective, if the interview was authentic, it would reflect BNP’s long-term strategic repositioning. If it was not, then its publication in a prominent Indian outlet still serves to reinforce that very narrative, whether intentionally or not.
Beyond the Controversy
Whether fabricated or genuine, the Ei Samay interview controversy has already influenced the political discourse in Bangladesh. It has exposed the fragile state of the BNP–Jamaat relationship, reignited debates about foreign media’s portrayal of Bangladeshi politics, and highlighted the growing role of AI and misinformation in shaping political perceptions.
Ultimately, the episode reveals less about what Fakhrul actually said and more about the politics of perception in contemporary Bangladesh. As the country heads toward another high-stakes national election, every word, every quote, and every digital image will be contested terrain.
For now, Fakhrul maintains his denial, Jamaat remains offended, and Ei Samay stands by its publication. In that triangular standoff between politics, press, and technology, the real casualty may be truth itself.
About the Author
Shahedur Rahman is the Op-Ed-Editor of The Insighta and a media professional with over 17 years of experience in journalism and editing. He can be reached at rahmankazishahedur@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.