April 7, 2025 —
A recent social media post by Dr. Asif Nazrul, a law professor at Dhaka University and a well-known public intellectual in Bangladesh, has ignited widespread backlash and international condemnation for promoting what critics are calling clear antisemitism.
The controversy centers around a Facebook share by Dr. Nazrul of a video originally posted by Md. Muzahidul Islam. In the video, a young boy is seen removing a bucket of KFC—an American fast food chain—while a large Palestinian flag hangs behind him. Overlaid text on the video reads “Boycott Israel Products.” The implication that KFC is an “Israeli product” has sparked outrage and confusion, as KFC is neither headquartered in Israel nor affiliated with the Israeli government.
Critics argue that the video, and Dr. Nazrul’s endorsement of it, not only spreads misinformation but also veers dangerously into antisemitic territory by promoting a blanket boycott without any factual basis.
“Boycotting based on national origin or ethnicity without any factual or legal grounding is a form of collective punishment and hate speech. It is a modern form of antisemitism,” said spokesperson for the Global Antisemitism Monitor.
While Dr. Nazrul has not responded publicly to the backlash, his post has gone viral, with more than 20,000 reactions, 2,900 shares, and over 1,400 comments as of Monday afternoon. Many of the reactions in the comment section either support the sentiment of boycott or echo anti-Israel rhetoric, further fueling the controversy.
Legal experts and human rights observers in Bangladesh have expressed concern over the growing trend of academic figures and civil society leaders using their platforms to spread politically charged and divisive content. “Freedom of speech is vital,” said a constitutional law expert, “but public figures have a responsibility not to misuse that right by promoting hatred or misinformation.”
International observers worry that posts like these contribute to a rising tide of online antisemitism in South Asia, often under the cover of political critique or support for Palestine. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief recently warned that digital platforms are increasingly being used to stoke hatred and division across borders.
As the post continues to circulate, calls are growing for academic institutions and social media platforms to take stronger action against content that fuels hate or distorts facts for political purposes.
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