A disturbing video from Bangladesh showing a young woman surrounded, heckled and physically assaulted by a group of people has circulated widely on social media. Posts accompanying the footage claimed that a Hindu girl was attacked by Islamist extremists, forced to wear a hijab and made to bow before Muslim men.
Some versions of the viral caption also alleged that she was forced to kiss men's feet and express gratitude for being made to submit to Islam.
However, an investigation by Alt News found that the viral description was misleading. The footage was linked to an incident involving a Bangladeshi TikTok creator identified as Kohinoor Akhtar, who was allegedly caught stealing in Ramu, Cox's Bazar.
What Does the Video Show?
The footage shows a woman surrounded by several people. She appears distressed as individuals confront and assault her. At different moments, she attempts to cover her head with a scarf while people around her continue shouting and behaving aggressively.
The video attracted attention after social media accounts circulated it with claims that the woman was a Hindu victim of religious persecution.
Some posts portrayed the incident as an attempt to force a non-Muslim woman to wear Islamic clothing and submit to religious authority.
These claims spread widely, but the identity of the woman and the circumstances of the incident needed to be checked against the original footage and local reporting.
Alt News Investigation Identifies the Woman
In its fact-check published on December 17, 2024, Alt News traced the footage to videos shared on Facebook by Bangladeshi users.
The investigation identified the woman as Kohinoor Akhtar, a TikTok creator. A Facebook reel posted by a user named Shaha Newaj described the incident as involving a TikToker allegedly caught stealing in Ramu.
Alt News also found another video uploaded by a user named Md. Nurol Kabir on August 30, 2024. The longer footage reportedly identified the woman by name and described her detention by members of a local market committee over alleged theft.
A video compilation published by the Bangladeshi outlet Digital Bangla TV on August 29, 2024, also identified her as TikToker Kohinoor.
Based on these findings, Alt News concluded that the video was being circulated with a misleading communal narrative.
What About the Claims of Forced Hijab and Religious Submission?
The viral captions alleged that the woman was forced to wear a hijab because of her religious identity and made to submit to Muslim men.
However, Alt News found no evidence establishing that the incident was a religiously motivated attack on a Hindu woman.
The investigation linked the confrontation to allegations of stealing. It did not substantiate the claims that the woman was targeted for being Hindu or that the incident was an organised attempt to force her to accept Islamic religious practices.
The distinction is important: the footage may show disturbing treatment of an individual, but it cannot be used as proof of allegations that the investigation did not establish.
Mob Violence and Public Humiliation Are Unacceptable
Even when a person is suspected of committing a crime, assault, intimidation and public humiliation are not acceptable substitutes for lawful investigation.
If someone is accused of theft, the matter should be reported to the police and handled through the legal system. A crowd has no authority to punish a suspect, force religious practices on someone or subject a person to physical abuse.
Every individual deserves protection from violence and coercion, regardless of religion, gender or nationality.
Does This Video Prove a Wider Campaign Against Non-Muslims or Japanese People?
No. The video investigated by Alt News does not establish a wider campaign against non-Muslims, nor does it provide evidence of similar incidents involving Japanese people.
Claims about violence or coercion in other countries should be examined separately using reliable reporting, police records and credible eyewitness accounts.
It is important to investigate genuine cases of religious intimidation wherever they occur. But one video, particularly one shared with a misleading description, cannot establish the behaviour or intentions of an entire religious community.
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