Actor and Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) chairman Ilias Kanchan has become the subject of a false death rumour circulating on social media.
His family has confirmed that the news is untrue and said the actor is currently doing well while undergoing treatment in London.
Kanchan is scheduled to undergo a CT scan and MRI on Wednesday evening, London time.
Doctors are expected to determine his next course of treatment based on the test results.
The organisation he founded, NISCHA, has strongly condemned the spread of the false report and urged authorities to identify its source and take necessary action.
In a statement, NISCHA’s central leaders and members of around 120 branches across the country called for an investigation into the origin of the rumour.
NISCHA Secretary General Liton Ershad said, “The race to be the first to publish a piece of news can never be a substitute for truthful and responsible journalism. More important than publishing a report quickly is ensuring that the information is accurate.”
The organisation stressed that sensitive information concerning death, accidents or illness should only be published after verification with family members, close associates or reliable sources.
It also warned that spreading the false death news of a living person can cause panic and emotional distress among their family, colleagues and well-wishers.
Sharing such unverified information on social media is equally irresponsible and harmful, it added.
NISCHA has called for an investigation to determine where the rumour about Kanchan’s death originated.
It also urged authorities to take legal action if evidence of wrongdoing is found.
The organisation appealed to the public and Kanchan’s well-wishers not to be misled by unverified reports circulating on social media.
Kanchan has been undergoing treatment in London since April last year after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent brain surgery there in August last year.
Doctors removed a significant portion of the tumour but could not remove all of it because of the associated risks.
He subsequently underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and oral therapy.
The actor recently returned to Bangladesh for 10 days, during which he spent time with his family, colleagues and well-wishers and attended a NISCHA programme.
He also visited his ancestral home in Kishoreganj’s Karimganj and paid his respects at the graves of his ancestors.
He returned to London last week with his son-in-law for further treatment.
According to his family, Kanchan has completed his chemotherapy. The upcoming CT scan and MRI will help doctors determine the next stage of his treatment.
