A claim has circulated on social media stating that former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique, was severely injured in the head by a group of coordinators in Shahbagh, Dhaka, and is now on life support in the hospital.
Fact-checking investigations conducted by the Rumor Scanner team reveal that any coordinators did not injure Dr. Arefin Siddique. Instead, the incident being circulated actually refers to him sustaining a head injury after falling while speaking at Dhaka Club (located in Ramna).
Among mainstream media outlets, the national daily “Kalbela” appears to have been the first to report on this matter. According to their report on March 6, Professor Arefin Siddique fell to the ground and hit his head. His family members subsequently admitted him to the Neuroscience Unit's ICU at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital. On the same day, “Prothom Alo” published a report stating that his younger brother, Shakrin Siddique, told journalists that he had been in good health. Around 2:15 PM, he withdrew money from a bank booth before heading to Dhaka Club (Ramna), where he collapsed while talking. The incident is estimated to have occurred at approximately 2:40 PM. He was then taken to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital, where he received initial treatment before being transferred to the Neuro ICU and later placed on life support.
A report published on the website of the national daily “Samakal” cited a hospital doctor, who stated that he was admitted to BIRDEM Hospital around 3:00 PM. Medical examinations confirmed that he had sustained a head injury and suffered a stroke. Initially placed in the ICU, his condition worsened, leading to him being put on ventilator support. As per the latest media reports, he remains in the hospital.
Analysis of media reports and information from reliable sources confirms that there is no evidence supporting the claim that coordinators severely injured Professor Arefin Siddique. The incident has been misrepresented online, falsely suggesting that he was attacked, whereas in reality, he fell while speaking at Dhaka Club, resulting in a head injury. This claim is misleading.
Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/aams-arefin-siddique-was-not-hit-on-the-head-by-the-coordinators/141957
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