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.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Claim
BJP supporters protest against Canada outside Canara Bank.
Fact
Photo found to be edited.
Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the North American country, a photo purportedly showing BJP supporters demonstrating outside a branch of Canara Bank has gone viral online. Multiple X and Facebook users mocked the BJP workers for “protesting against Canada in front of Canara Bank”. Newschecker, however, found the photo to be digitally manipulated.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral image, we noticed discolouration in the area over the purported Canara Bank board. The hoarding also appears to have been superimposed on the Xiaomi board.
We also spotted “Head Office” written at the bottom of the hoarding. Following which, we compared the Google images/street view of the Canara Bank head office building/location with the viral image, and found no similarities between the two sites. Such images can be seen here, here, and here.
Further, an X post from September 2023 carried a similar photo while claiming the same. However, it did not show the Canara Bank hoarding, raising our doubts.
We then looked up the viral image on Google Lens which yielded a report by Maalaimalar, dated August 30, 2020. Carrying the original photo, without the Canara Bank hoarding, it stated that the BJP workers in Ooty allegedly installed a flagpole to hoist their party flag on a land owned by the municipality without prior permission. Following a complaint, the said flagpole was removed, prompting a protest by the BJP workers.
Notably, a pile of bricks near what appears to be a temporary flagpole can also be seen in the left corner of the viral photo.
A comparison between the viral photo and the image featured in the 2020 Maalaimalar report led us to conclude that the former was edited. The original photo does not show any such bank hoarding at the protest site.
Also Read: Viral Photo Showing Ratan Tata Riding A Bicycle Is Actually AI Generated
Conclusion
A 2020 image has been digitally altered to add a Canara Bank hoarding and falsely claim that BJP supporters protested against Canada outside a branch of the bank.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
Report By Maalaimalar, Dated August 30, 2020
Self Analysis
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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.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
