Dhaka, June 15 (V7N) — The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has categorically denied recent rumors circulating on various websites and social media platforms about plans to change Bangladesh’s national flag, calling the claims "completely baseless."

In a post from its verified Facebook page ‘CA Press Wing Fact,’ the office clarified, “False information has been widely spread on various websites and platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) that the interim government of Bangladesh is considering changing the national flag. This claim is entirely fabricated.”

According to the Press Wing, the rumor falsely suggested that Islamic symbols like the crescent and star — associated with the flags of Pakistan and Turkey — would be added to Bangladesh’s flag. The disinformation gained traction after a digitally manipulated image of a fictional flag design went viral, garnering close to one million views. The fake flag reportedly found particular engagement among users in Pakistan, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Notably, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was among those accused of amplifying the rumor by sharing the fabricated content.

Leading Bangladeshi fact-checking platform ‘The Descent’ investigated the matter, confirming that the viral news article was AI-generated and first published on June 6 under the name of a fictitious author, Robert Brown. The fake report contained no credible references, evidence, or verifiable sources.

According to ‘The Descent,’ the rumor likely originated from a June 4 post by the pro-Pakistan X account @SouthAsiaIndex, which first shared the digitally fabricated flag image. The same image was later used in the false report amplified by Sajeeb Wazed.

The Press Wing emphasized that the hoax was deliberately crafted to provoke identity-based tensions among Bangladeshi audiences, particularly among conservative or nationalist groups.

This is not the first instance of such fabricated stories. Earlier in July, during mass protests in Bangladesh, false claims circulated that student leaders had proposed a new national flag. That misinformation spread widely online before being thoroughly debunked.

The Press Wing confirmed, “As of June 14, no established Bangladeshi or international media outlet has published any report supporting the claim of changing the national flag.”

Urging the public to practice caution, the Chief Adviser’s Office stated, “Let us prioritize true information and refrain from spreading baseless rumors.” They advised social media users to verify content before sharing, especially when dealing with issues involving national identity.

“There is no movement or demand for changing the national flag in Bangladesh,” the statement concluded. “These fabricated stories only distort the truth and create unnecessary division.”

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