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
‘Go Back Rahul Gandhi’ slogans raised during the Congress leader’s visit to Manipur.
Fact
Old video showing protest against Rahul Gandhi in Assam during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
A video of protesters raising slogans against Rahul Gandhi as the Congress leader and LoP is escorted to his car from what appears to be a local eatery is going viral on social media platforms. Multiple users sharing the video claim it to be from Gandhi’s recent visit to Manipur. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue. The video in fact dates back to January, and shows a protest against Gandhi in Assam.
Newschecker received the claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
Multiple X and Facebook users also shared the two-minute-twenty-second-long-footage claiming that Rahul Gandhi was asked to go back by Manipur residents.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Excerpts Of LOP Rahul Gandhi’s Speech Shared In Wrong Context
Rahul Gandhi was on a day-long visit to the violence hit Manipur earlier this week. He met Governor Anusuiya Uikey, and visited relief camps in Jiribam, Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts of the north eastern state. “This is the third time I have come here since the problem started. It has been a tremendous tragedy. I was expecting some improvement in the situation. But I was quite disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near where it should be,” he reportedly said during a press conference.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a PTI report, dated January 22, 2024. Carrying a screengrab from the viral video, the report elaborated, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was mobbed at a roadside eatery in Assam’s Nagaon district on Sunday evening. The incident took place when Mr Gandhi and some other leaders stopped at the restaurant in Ambagan on way to their night halt in Rupohi, about 10 km from the site.”
It also featured an X post by news agency ANI, dated January 21, 2024, carrying a slightly longer version of the same video. The post stated, “Assam: A large number of people carrying posters of ‘Rahul Gandhi go back’ and ‘Anyaya Yatra’ held a protest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Ambagan area of Nagaon this evening.”
We found a Facebook post by News18 from January 2024 carrying snippets from the video widely circulated to claim that Gandhi was heckled in Manipur. “ A large number of people carrying posters of ‘Rahul Gandhi go back’ and ‘Anyaya Yatra’ held a protest against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Ambagan area of Nagaon this evening,” the post was captioned.
Multiple other outlets such as ABP News, Aaj Tak, and Amar Ujala, also reported on the incident that happened during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s Assam leg in January this year.
We are able to spot a location seen in the video in Assam’s Nagaon on Google Maps. The same can be seen below.
Also Read: Social Media Users Fall For Satire Article On Hotstar Winning Streaming Rights To Ambani Wedding
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from Assam has been falsely shared to claim that protesters raised ‘Go Back Rahul Gandhi’ slogans during the Congress leader’s recent visit to Manipur.
Result: False
Sources
Report By PTI, Dated January 22, 2024
X Post By ANI, Dated January 21, 2024
Facebook Post By News18, Dated January 21, 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.
