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
Convoy of BJP Sirsa candidate Ashok Tanwar attacked by locals.
Fact
Nearly 3-year-old video showing an attack on Haryana Deputy Speaker’s car in Sirsa.
A video allegedly showing a mob attacking the convoy of the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Sirsa, Ashok Tanwar, has been widely shared on social media platforms. Multiple X users shared the video claiming to show how Tanwar, who joined the BJP in January after quitting the AAP, was “greeted” in Sirsa. Newschecker found the claim to be false. The video dates back to July 2021, and shows an attack on the car of Haryana Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa in Sirsa.
The video is being widely shared on X.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We skimmed through the comment sections of various X posts carrying the viral footage, and found a user pointing out that the footage actually shows an attack on Haryana Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa’s convoy.
On carefully analysing the viral clip, we could read “Bharat News” and “PB News” written on the top right corner of the screen.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Bharat News,” “डिप्टी स्पीकर रणबीर गंगवा की गाड़ी” and “सिरसा” on YouTube, which led us to a video report by Pahredar Bharat News, dated July 11, 2021
It carried the viral footage stating that Gangwa’s car was attacked by protesting farmers in Sirsa.
Further, we found a video report by Punjab Kesari Haryana, dated July 11, 2021, showing visuals of attack on Gangwa’s car by protesting farmers.
On comparing keyframes of the viral video with the clip shared by Punjab Kesari Haryana, we could conclude that they showed the same incident.
Also Read: Will Your Aadhaar Card Become Invalid Unless You Update It After 10 Years? Viral Claim is Misleading
Haryana Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa’s car was allegedly attacked by farmers in July 2021. “Ranbir Gangwa was in Sirsa to take part in BJP’s executive committee meeting that was also attended by BJP MP Sunita Duggal. The protesters attacked his vehicle when he was leaving after the meeting was over,” reported India Today.
Detailing the police action on the incident, a report by NDTV dated July 15, 2021, stated, ”Police in Haryana have charged over 100 farmers with sedition after they allegedly attacked and damaged the official vehicle of Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa during a protest against members of the state’s ruling BJP-Jannayak Janata Party alliance and the controversial new farm laws. The incident took place in Haryana’s Sirsa district on July 11. The FIR was filed on the same day. Apart from sedition, the FIR also charges farmers with ‘attempt to murder’. Two leaders of the farmers’ movement – Harcharan Singh and Prahlad Singh – were among those named in the FIR.”
Other reports related to the incident can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Did Kerala Government Publish A Textbook With ‘Communal’ Content? Viral Claim Is False
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that a 2021 video has been falsely shared to show an attack on BJP Sirsa candidate Ashok Tanwar.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By Pahredar Bharat News, Dated July 11, 2021
YouTube Video By Punjab Kesari Haryana, Dated July 11, 2021
Report By India Today, Dated July 11, 2021
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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.
