Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
Congress MLA calls police personnel to his home and dictates terms following the party’s win in Karnataka.
Fact
Video is from Telangana, and features AIMIM MLA from Nampally Jaffar Hussain Meraj.
A video of a group of men engaging in an argument with a police personnel is being widely shared online. Multiple social media users who shared the video alleged that it shows a Congress MLA “calling a police officer at his home & dictating terms” following the party’s win in Karnataka state polls. Some others opted for a sarcastic jibe, claiming that the Congress MLA was explaining “claimly” or in “peaceful manner” to the police personnel. Newshecker found the claim to be untrue. Neither is the video from Karnataka, nor does it show any Congress MLA.
Archived versions of such tweets can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Fake Invitation To Swearing-In Of New Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Goes Viral
Fact Check/Verification
We spotted text overlay saying “Jafar Hussain Meraj Sb (MLA, Nampally) In Jagtial” and a logo of the AIMIM party in a version of the viral clip shared by some Twitter users such as @YagySeni_YuIIya and @raviagrawal3.
Notably, Nampally and Jagtial are both in Telangana. As per the Telangana state portal, Jaffar Hussain is actually an MLA from the Nampally constituency. However he belongs to the AIMIM, and not the Congress.
Following this, we conducted a keyword search for “Jafar Hussain Meraj,” “Jagtial” and “Police” on Google which led us to a video report by BBN News, dated May 11, 2023, carrying snippets from the viral video.
The report stated that AIMIM MLA Jaffar Hussain Meraj visited Jagtial to meet the family of women who were allegedly harassed on a bus by a Sub Inspector. The MLA and other leaders also met Jagtial SP in this regard. It also featured Jaffar’s remarks on the incident.
A screengrab from the viral video was also featured in a PCW News report, dated May 11, 2023, on the AIMIM’s leader’s visit to Jagtial over the said incident.
Additionally, a post by the Facebook page of AIMIM’s Mohammed Idrees Khan, Deputy Mayor Nizamabad, also shared a screengrab from the viral video in context of the party leaders’ visit to Jagtial.
A Telangana Today report, dated May 10, 2023, elaborating on the incident stated,”The SI’s wife and another woman had entered an argument with each other over sharing a seat in an TSRTC bus. While the other woman, who boarded the bus along with her mother from Siddipet to reach Jagtial on Tuesday, the SI’s wife had boarded from Karimnagar bus stand. Both of them had an argument over sharing a seat.” Adding, that the SI boarded the bus once it reached Jagtial and “ entered an argument with the woman. While she was recording the episode with her mobile phone, the SI snatched the phone from her and allegedly slapped her.”
Reportedly, the SI accused in the incident has been suspended. More reports on the incident can be seen here and here.
Also Read: No, This Video Does Not Show Man Waving Pakistani Flag In Karnataka After Congress’ Win
Conclusion
Video of an AIMIM MLA from Telangana interacting with police falsely shared to show a Karnataka Congress MLA “dictating terms” to a cop following the party’s win in the state polls.
Result: False
Sources
Telangana State Portal
Report By BBN News, Dated May 11, 2023
Report By Telangana Today, Dated May 10, 2023
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
