Photo circulating widely depicts members of pro-Bangladeshi factions meting out punishment to captives from the pro-Pakistani faction during the conflict in Bangladesh in 1971

In recent times, a viral photo has been circulating online, purportedly showing Muslim Razakars with captured Hindu civilians in 1948 Telangana, India. However, a thorough investigation has revealed that this claim is false.

The photo, taken by William Lovelace of the Daily Express, actually shows pro-Bangladeshi independence forces (Mukti Bahini) preparing to beat, torture, and execute men in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. This fact is corroborated by the description on Getty Images, which reads: "Guerrilla fighters of the pro-independence Mukti Bahini forces preparing to beat, torture, and execute men accused of being members of the pro-Pakistani Razakar paramilitary force, at a political rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, two days after the Pakistani surrender at the end of the Bangladesh War of Independence, on 18th December 1971."

The photo is also mentioned in the book 'People at Odds: India and Pakistan', authored by Heather Lehr Wagner and published in 2002. The book states that the photo depicts Pakistani General Yahya Khan's troops cracking down on Hindus in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) in 1971.

Furthermore, a Google reverse image search led to the same photo uploaded on the stock image website 'Getty Images'. Additionally, videos on Shutterstock and the YouTube channel of the Associated Press show Abdul Kader Siddique, a leader of the pro-independence Mukti Bahini forces, surrendering weapons to President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972. By comparing the individual featured in the Getty Images photos with those in the videos, it is evident that the person in the photo is Abdul Kader Siddique.

Regrettably, some media outlets, such as Dainik Bhaskar and Sangbad Pratidin, have incorrectly linked this photo to the Razakar atrocities during the 1948 Telangana Movement. It is crucial to uphold the truth and accuracy in reporting historical events, especially those as significant as the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The misrepresentation of this photo serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before sharing it online. The events depicted in the photo are a grim reminder of the atrocities committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War, and they should be remembered accurately to honour the victims and those who fought for independence.