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
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli calls the recent gruesome Kolkata doctor rape-murder case “disturbing and shocking,” says he is “ashamed to be a part of that society.”
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case – 2023 Video Of Rajdeep Sardesai Goes Viral With False Context
Fact
A keyword search for “Virat Kohli,” and “ashamed to be part of that society” – the cricketer’s comments as heard in the viral video – on Google led us to a PTI report, dated January 6, 2017. “Virat Kohli said that those who watched in silence when women were being molested on Bengaluru streets on New Year’s eve have “no right to call themselves men” and he feels ashamed to be a part of such a society,” the report stated.
Also Read: 2023 Video Of Donald Trump Goes Viral To Push Mpox Conspiracy Theory Ahead Of US Presidential Polls
It also featured a series of X posts carrying video bytes of Kohli calling out the “really, really disturbing” molestation incident in Bengaluru.
On carefully analysing these two videos, we could conclude that the viral footage was in fact taken from 2017 X posts by Kohli.
Multiple reports from 2017 such as this, this, and this, carried Kohli’s reaction to a horrific incident in Bengaluru where several women were molested by a mob of men publicly on a road during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Also Read: Alleged Rape Case Of Woman in Pakistan Goes Viral With Wrong Image
Hence, an old video of Virat Kohli has been shared as his reaction to the recent gruesome rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Report By PTI, Dated January 6, 2017
X Post By @imVkohli, Dated January 6, 2017
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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.
