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
Key takeaways from the Congress manifesto for Jammu & Kashmir Polls.
Fact
Congress has not released the manifesto yet. Video predates the announcement of J&K Polls, and analyses CPI(M) manifesto for 2024 general elections.
A video purportedly showing an analysis of the various promises, allegedly made by the Congress party in their manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in J&K, is going viral on social media. Users sharing the video criticised the party for its purported promise to bring back Article 370 if elected to power. However, Newschecker found that the video did not discuss the Congress manifesto for J&K, as the party is yet to release it.
In the video, spanning over one minute and nineteen seconds, the anchor can be heard highlighting several ‘key takeaways’ from the purported manifesto, including restoration of Article 370, scrapping of CAA, UAPA, NSA and death penalty. He adds scrapping of NEP, elimination of nuclear weapons, and India’s exit from QUAD and I2U2 as other agendas allegedly mentioned in the document.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the video claiming, “The Congress Manifesto for J&K Assembly Elections.” Newschecker also received the claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-) requesting to be fact checked.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Muslim Man Assaulted, Forced to Chant Jai Shri Ram? Old, Edited Video Viral With False Communal Spin
Fact Check/Verification
On conducting a reverse image search we did not find any actual matches for the video, but found that the presenter seen in the video is digital creator Manvendra Chauhan, who runs an Instagram page called The Helping Mind. However, we did not find the actual video on Chauhan’s Instagram/YouTube pages.
A keyword search for “Congress,” “manifesto” and “Jammu and Kashmir” on Google did not yield any credible results that the party had released its manifesto for the upcoming polls by the time of writing this article.
Notably, the National Conference, Congress’ alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir, has released its manifesto for the poll. “We strive to Restore 370-35A, and Statehood as prior to August 5 2019…The Jammu and Kashmir assembly, in its first list of business after elections, will pass a resolution against the centre’s decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status. Make efforts to modify, annul, and repeal post-August 5, 2019, laws that impact the special status of Jammu and Kashmir,” it stated.
On carefully analysing the viral footage, we noticed that Rahul Gandhi could be seen holding a copy of ‘Nyay Patra 2024,’ the Congress’ manifesto for the Lok Sabha Elections that concluded in June this year.
Additionally, we noticed that the video also lists issues of national importance that come under the jurisdiction of the Centre.
Furthermore, we found several posts from May, 2024 , such as this and this, carrying the same video, confirming that it does not show any recent announcements by the Congress.
But Did Congress Make Such Promises In Nyay Ptara 2024?
We examined the Congress’ Nyay Patra for Lok Sabha Polls, 2024 for the points listed in the viral video.
We found no mention of Article 370 in the document, however, it did state that the party “will immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.”
We did not find any section ensuring revocation of the CAA and any anti-conversion law in the manifesto either. Points pertaining to the scrapping of UAPA, NSA and death penalty were also not found in the poll document.
We also skimmed through the ‘Foreign Policy’ section of the manifesto, but did not find any mention of India’s exit from QUAD and I2U2. Additionally, no such mention of nuclear weapons was found in the Congress’ Nyay Patra. It did not list removal of the NEP either, but states, “we will revisit and amend the NEP in consultation with the state governments.”
Then Which Manifesto Is Being Discussed In The Video?
A relevant keyword search on Google led us to the manifesto of CPI (M) for the Lok Sabha Polls, 2024. On skimming through the document,we spotted a point under ‘Jammu & Kashmir’ section stating that the party is committed to “Restoration of Article 35A and 370 of the Constitution; Ladakh being given regional autonomy; holding elections to the state assembly immediately”
The section of “In Defence of Secularism” stated, “the CPI(M) stands for the separation of religion and politics and for the passage and implementation of all legislative measures necessary to make this effective. Communal violence to be dealt with firmly. Secular values, scientific temper and rationality to be promoted by the State in all spheres. The CPI(M) will work towards – Scrapping the Citizenship Amendment Act, Repealing anti-conversion laws in states that target minorities…”
“Stopping the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020; no to commercialization ,communalization and centralization of education,” is also listed in the manifesto.
The document further states that the CPI(M) will ensure “Dismantling of the authoritarian set up that tramples on the Constitution, democracy and democratic rights.” It then lists repealing of the UAPA, NSA and removal of death penalty from the statutes among the requisites for the same.
It further states that the party will work for “Exit from alliances like, India-US Defence Framework Agreement, QUAD and I2U2,” “elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons.”
While we could not trace the original video on the pages of the presenter, Manvendra Chauhan, we found another video of Chauhan, dressed in similar clothes, on his Instagram page, where he discusses other controversial aspects of the CPI(M) manifesto.
We can thus infer that the viral video has been taken from a larger video discussing the CPI (M) manifesto for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls.
Also Read: Viral Video Claiming To Show RSS March In Haryana Is Actually From Kerala
Conclusion
Hence, an old video showing an analysis of the CPI(M) manifesto for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls has been falsely shared as the Congress manifesto for Jammu & Kashmir Polls.
Result: False
Sources
Congress Manifesto For 2024 Lok Sabha Polls
CPI (M) Manifesto For 2024 Lok Sabha Polls
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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.
