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 showing mob attacking a BJP leader amid ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.
Fact
Video dates back to 2019, and shows an attack on a West Bengal BJP leader who joined TMC in 2022.
A video showing a mob manhaling a person and kicking him into a ditch has grabbed social media attention. Multiple social media users shared the footage claiming to show the “condition of the BJP leader.” The text overlay on the video reads, “BJP leader, this is wrong … This time 400 kicks-punches (translated from Hindi),” mocking the Bharatiya Janata Party’s slogan for Lok Sabha election campaign “Abhi Baar 400 Paar” (this time the party will win over 400 seats). Newschecker found that the video dates back to 2019, and shows an attack on a West Bengal BJP leader who joined the TMC in 2022.
Multiple X, Facebook and Instagram users shared the video claiming to show a mob attacking a BJP leader.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Acharya Pramod Krishnam Advocating For Reservation-Free India Shared As Recent
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “BJP Leader,” “kicked” and “bushes” on YouTube led us to multiple reports from 2019 carrying a longer version of the viral footage. One such report by the Hindustan Times, dated November 25, 2019, stated “West Bengal BJP Vice President, Joy Prakash Majumdar was manhandled allegedly by TMC workers during Karimpur by-poll. The video shows Majumdar being assaulted and kicked off the road. Majumdar is BJP’s candidate for Karimpur assembly by-poll. Voting for WB by-elections kicked off today in 3 assembly segments in WB. Voting is underway in Kaliaganj, Kharagpur, Karimpur constituencies.”
The video was also shared on YouTube by The Print on November 25, 2019, with the caption “West Bengal BJP vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar allegedly manhandled, kicked by TMC workers”
The official X handle of the BJP also shared the video on November 25, 2019, to show an attack on their leader allegedly by the TMC workers.
The TMC had reportedly termed the allegations as baseless.
Following the incident, Majumdar had said the attack was a “clear sign of the end of democracy in Bengal”. “It will not demoralise me and I will continue to visit all the booths. I have complained to the Election Commission,” he was quoted as saying by the NDTV.
Notably, Majumdar was suspended by the BJP in January 2022 and had joined the TMC in March that year.
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that an old video showing a mob attacking a BJP leader, who has now joined with the TMC, has been shared out of context amid the Lok Sabha Polls.
Result: Missing Context
\Sources
YouTube Video By Hindustan Times, Dated November 25, 2019
YouTube Video By The Print, Dated November 25, 2019
X Post By @BJP4India, Dated November 25, 2019
Report By NDTV, Dated November 25, 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.
