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
Akhilesh Yadav fleeing from questions on rape accused Nawab Singh Yadav.
Fact
2023 video of Yadav jumping over the gate of JPNIC, Lucknow after being denied entry.
A video showing SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav jumping over a gate in an alleged attempt to avoid the press’ questions on rape accused Nawab Singh Yadav is being widely circulated on social media platforms. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Nawab Singh Yadav , a former SP leader was arrested under relevant sections of the the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act in August for allegedly raping a minor in UP’s Kannauj. In a recent development, the DNA sample of Singh Yadav has matched with the survivor’s sample.
Several X and Facebook users shared the 19-second-long-footage claiming, “…after the DNA test confirmed that Samajwadi Party leader Nabab (Nawab) Singh Yadav had raped a minor girl, reporters from various channels surrounded Akhilesh Yadav. When Akhilesh Yadav was unable to answer, he was forced to jump from the gate and run away!!”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google keyword search for “Akhilesh Yadav,” and “climbs gate” led us to a report by India Today from October 2023. Carrying a similar video, it stated, “Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav climbed the boundary wall of the Jai Prakash Narayan International Center in Lucknow. The officials had reportedly denied permission to the party workers, citing the construction work at the centre.”
After comparing the keyframes of the viral footage with the video featured in the report, we could conclude that they both depict the same incident.
We then looked up keywords “Akhilesh Yadav” and “Jai Prakash Narayan International Center” on Google which yielded a report by The Hindu, dated October 12, 2023. It elaborated, “Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on October 11 targeted the ruling BJP for allegedly denying access to the Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre here to pay his respects to socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan on the latter’s birth anniversary.” Adding that Yadav climbed over the 10-feet high locked gate at the convention centre to garland the statue after SP workers unwrapped it from a tarpaulin sheet.
“History does not forgive those who do not respect history. Now, will we have to call for ‘complete revolution’ like Jai Prakash Narayan ji even for garlanding? If this is acceptable to BJP then it is okay,” the SP Chief was quoted as saying in the report.
Also Read: Video Of Mob Thrashing Youth For Stabbing Girl In Broad Daylight Viral With Communal Spin
News agency PTI also shared the video from the incident in an X post, dated October 11, 2023.
Multiple news outlets, such as this, this and this, also reported that Yadav climbed the gate of the Jai Prakash Narayan Interpretation Centre (JPNIC) to pay his tribute to the socialist leader after being denied permission to enter.
Yadav too shared images of him scaling the gate, and garlanding the statue of Jai Prakash Narayan on his official X account. “What is the use of democracy when obstacles are created in garlanding the popular leader? BJP cannot stop the path of SP,” he commented.
Also Read: False Claim Linking CJI, Wife With Mamata Banerjee’s Personal Physician Goes Viral
Conclusion
Hence, an old video has been falsely shared to show Akhilesh Yadav fleeing to avoid questions on rape accused Nawab Singh Yadav.
Result: False
Sources
Report By India Today, Dated October 11, 2023
Report By The Hindu, Dated October 12, 2023
X Post By @PTI_News, Dated October 11, 2023
X Post By @yadavakhilesh, Dated October 11, 2023
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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.
