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
Maharashtra Congress leader Sunil Kedar is seen openly threatening the BJP supporters.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
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Fact
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the video led us to a report by Times Now, dated September 13, 2019. Carrying a still from the same video, it stated, “Maharashtra Congress MLA Sunil Kedar was recently seen threatening people that they will be beaten to pulp if BJP flags were seen displayed outside their houses.”
Kedar made these reports while addressing a gathering in Nagpur’s Sillewada village ahead of the assembly elections, an Aaj Tak report from September, 2019.
The video was also shared on YouTube by news outlet Lokmat on September 13, 2019. “MLA Sunil Kedar of Savner-Kalmeshwar Constituency in Vidarbha has threatened to enter the house and kill those hoisting the Bharatiya Janata Party flag. At an event held in Sillewada village yesterday, he threatened to show stars during the day to those who showed “fun” (translated from Marathi via Google), “ its description stated.
Notably, Kedar was disqualified from the Maharashtra assembly following his conviction in a bank scam case in December, 2023. In July, 2024, the Supreme Court rejected his plea seeking stay on his conviction. The Congress has reportedly fielded his wife, Anuja Kedar, from the Saoner seat of Nagpur district.
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Hence, an old video of a Congress leader threatening BJP supporters has been shared out of context ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra polls.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Report By Times Now, Dated September 13, 2019
Report By Aaj Tak, Dated September 13, 2019
YouTube Video By Lokmat, Dated September 13, 2019
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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.
