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.
Claim
Massive protest against Amit Shah over his recent remarks on BR Ambedkar.
Fact
2022 video of a protest rally against a judge shared out of context.
A 28-second-long-video purportedly showing a massive protest rally against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his recent comments on BR Ambedkar is going viral on social media platforms, with users demanding an apology from the BJP leader. Newschecker, however, found that the video is old, and is not linked to the recent row over the Union Minister’s comments in the Parliament.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the viral video alleging to show a massive protest against Amit Shah.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Colombian Woman Trying To Evade Bus Fare Falsely Claimed As Indian Immigrant In London
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a Facebook post by Dalitha Samraksha Samithi lion’s voice- Karnataka, dated February 24, 2022. Carrying multiple videos, including the viral clip, it stated, “On 19th feb at Bangalore rally by the Ambedkarites.”
We found a report by The News Minute, dated February 20, 2022, featuring an image showing a protest rally similar to the one seen in the viral clip. “A huge protest march was held in Bengaluru on Saturday, February 19, demanding that a Karnataka district judge who objected to placing BR Ambedkar’s portrait next to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait on Republic Day in Raichur be suspended,” the report stated.
Also Read: No, This Is Not The Last Photo Of Manmohan Singh
Adding, “Protesters from the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti and allies from labour unions, farmers, women and student groups from Bengaluru and other parts of the state gathered responding to the call by Samvidhana Samrakshana Maha Okkutta at the City Railway Station. They demanded the suspension of Judge Mallikarjuna Gowda who belongs to the Vokkaliga community and that strict legal action be initiated against him.”
A comparison between a keyframe of viral video and the image featured in the news report can be seen below.
Judge Gowda however termed the “propaganda” as “false”, and reportedly said, “I told them that the high court registrar general had informed us in our Leaders Group that the said government order was before the full bench (of the high court) and he asked us to wait till a decision was made on the matter. I requested them not to force me (on placing Ambedkar’s statue). We later hoisted the national flag. I have not seen anybody placing or removing an Ambedkar portrait from the dais. Hiding this fact, some people propagated that I had made the removal of the portrait a precondition to hoisting the flag.”
Multiple other outlets such as this and this had also reported on the incident.
Also Read: Viral Photo Of Amul Illustration Attacking Gandhi Family Is Manipulated
Conclusion
Hence, a 2022 video has been falsely shared to show a massive protest against Amit Shah over his recent comments on BR Ambedkar.
Result: False
Sources
Facebook Post By Dalitha Samraksha Samithi lion’s voice- Karnataka, Dated February 24, 2022
Report By The News Minute, Dated February 20, 2022
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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.
