India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially criticised reports of Chinese livestreamers filming in low-income neighbourhoods of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and presenting the footage to their audiences as scenes from New Delhi. The ministry labeled these efforts as an unfortunate attempt to project a distorted picture of the country.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to inquiries during a media briefing, stated that such actions only undermine the credibility of those involved in peddling these narratives. He urged the authorities concerned to take necessary action against the individuals responsible for the misrepresentation.
The controversy stems from reports that several Chinese influencers have been recording videos in areas such as Uttara’s Sector 12 and Tekpara in the Bangladeshi capital. According to reports in the Bangladeshi media, specific streamers have been identified, including one named "Mianmian," who allegedly broadcast footage near an Uttara canal on November 1 while claiming the location was the Indian capital. Another streamer, identified as "Wang Wei," was reportedly observed at tea stalls in Tekpara, where he made disparaging comments about local living conditions and alleged that the tea served to residents was made with cow urine.
An investigation by the newspaper Prothom Alo noted that these individuals used Chinese social media platforms to broadcast their content. Furthermore, The Business Standard previously reported in May that Chinese vloggers had been filming in densely populated parts of Dhaka, using equipment such as iPhones fitted with cooling fans to sustain long recording sessions. These videos frequently featured derogatory terms in their titles, focusing on themes of poverty.
Key facts
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the videos as "false narratives" that undermine the credibility of the content creators.
- The alleged filming took place in neighbourhoods including Uttara Sector 12 and Tekpara in Dhaka.
- Reports indicate the practice may have been ongoing for several months, with earlier activity noted by the media in May.
- Streamers allegedly used Chinese platforms such as Bilibili and Youku to disseminate the footage.
Why it matters
The ministry's strong reaction highlights the government’s concern over the spread of misinformation regarding Indian living conditions on international platforms. By officially calling for action from the relevant authorities in Beijing and Dhaka, India aims to curb the potential for these misleading portrayals to influence public perception.
Source: Livemint, Hindustan Times
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