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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Video shows cops being attacked with swords as protesting farmers clash with the police during the Delhi Chalo protest march.
Fact
Nearly one-month-old-video of protest in Punjab’s Tarn Taran over the removal of a poster of late Sikh separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
A video showing a mob of turban clad men, clashing with police officers, and vandalising a car is being widely shared on social media platforms. In the fifteen-second-long-video, a sword wielding man can also be seen repeatedly attacking the cops. Multiple social media users who shared the video have linked it to the ongoing farmers’ protest, and questioned the “so called farmer” for attacking police with “swords allowed on them for religious purposes.” Newschecker found that the video predates the commencement of farmers’ Delhi Chalo protest march, and has been shared in a false context.
Apart from X and Facebook, the video has found its way to YouTube as well.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Farmers Protest 2024- Old Video Shared To Claim Nihang Sikhs Are Marching To Delhi
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video yielded an Instagram post by @_majhe_wale_bhau1984, dated January 31, 2024, featuring the widely circulated clip.
Another Instagram user had also shared the footage on the same day. This led us to conclude that the video predates the commencement of the farmers Delhi Chalo march, which was flagged off on February 13.
Following this, we skimmed through the comment section of the posts carrying the clip and found multiple users pointing out that it’s an old video, and unconnected to the farmers’ protest. One such user further added that the footage is from Pahuwind in Punjab.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Police, protesters, clash, Pahuwind, and Punjab” on Google led us to a report by Jagran, dated January 29, 2024. It stated, “A mob attacked the president and members of a gurdwara management committee in Punjab’s Tarn Taran over the alleged “removal” of a poster featuring the late Sikh separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.” Adding, “The incident unfolded in the Pahuwind village of Tarn Taran when a video showing the removal of a tent with a Bhindranwale poster went viral on social media.”
We compared the image featured in the Jagran report with the keyframes of the viral video, and found several similarities between the two.
Reportedly, after the video of removal of Bhindranwale’s poster went viral multiple Sikh leaders reached the Gurudwara and sought action against the management. They vandalised the car of gurdwara committee president Col Harsimran Singh (retd). Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Tarn Taran, Preet Inder Singh said the matter has been amicably resolved, reported PTI.
Also Read: Farmers’ Delhi Chalo Protest March- 2017 Video Showing Pro-Farmers’ Rally in Jaipur Shared As Recent
Further, a keyword search for “Bhindranwale poster,” and “Tarn Taran clash” on Google threw up a video report on the incident by News18 Punjab/Haryana/Himachal, dated January 29, 2024.
On comparing the video featured in News18 Punjab/Haryana/Himachal report and the keyframes of the viral clip, we could conclude that they both depict the same incident.
Also Read: Video From US Showing PM Modi’s Effigy Tied To Tractor Shared With Digitally Manipulated Audio
Conclusion
We could conclude that a video of a protest following the removal of Sikh separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s poster from a Gurdwara premises in Punjab’s Tarn Taran has been falsely linked to the ongoing farmers’ protest.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram post by @_majhe_wale_bhau1984, Dated January 31, 2024
Report By Jagran, Dated January 29, 2024
YouTube Video By News18 Punjab/Haryana/Himachal, Dated January 29, 2024.
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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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
