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
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai makes inciting remarks, directs people with guns to “just shoot” on Modi’s orders.
Fact
A longer version of the video shows Annamalai addressing army personnel, and not the general public. Viral video has been shared out of context.
A video of Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai allegedly saying,” If you have a gun, and the gun has bullets, and Modi orders to shoot then just shoot and come to us. The BJP will take care of you,” during a public address, has gone viral on social media platforms. Multiple users shared the ten-second-long-video calling out and criticising the Tamil Nadu State BJP President. Newschecker found that a clipped version of a longer footage has been shared out of context.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here, here and here.
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Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “if you have gun,” and “shoot” in Tamil on YouTube led us to a longer version of the viral footage, uploaded by Tnnews24 digital on February 21, 2023.
We noticed that the placard on the dice read “brutal murder of army hero,” indicating that Annamalai was speaking at an event about the death of an army person.
In the initial few frames the Tamil BJP Chief can be heard saying, “Wish to tell the Army heroes at the border that even if the (State) government is not with you, we are with you. You have a gun in your hand, the gun has bullets, there is Modi to give the order, just shoot and come, BJP will take care of the rest in Tamil Nadu. Every Tamil hero in the Indian Army posted at the border… there is a saying among the soldiers in the Indian Army on the badge that you have “The name in the front is more important than the name in the back”.
“In the front, it only says Indian Army, the name of the soldier is written in the back. People from other states should tell Tamil soldiers- “Oh, you have such support from leaders, and other people in the state in Tamil Nadu?” “
His full address can be seen here too.
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We found that the Tamil Nadu BJP had organised a one-day hunger strike and candle march in February against the alleged killing of an Indian Army soldier by a DMK (ruling party) councillor and his aides.
Viral footage shows Annamalai addressing the same event. He had also shared photographs from the said event on his official X account on February 21, 2023.
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Conclusion
Viral video of Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai asking people to “just shoot” on Modi’s orders has been shared out of context.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
YouTube Video By Tnnews24 digital, Dated February 21, 2023
X Post By @annamalai_k, Dated February 21, 2023
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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.
