Authors
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.
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
Dubai-based “Association of Sunni Muslims” is offering financial support to Muslims to travel to Karnataka and other states so that they can vote for Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.
Fact
No evidence of any such association, notice found to be fake.
Several social media users are sharing a circular, purportedly issued by an “Association of Sunni Muslims”, based in Dubai, announcing “full financial support” in arranging for flights so that Muslims from Karnataka and other states can vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections to defeat “fascist forces” and bring the Congress back to power.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here. We also received this claim on our Whatsapp tipline (9999499044), requesting us to fact-check it.
Fact Check
Newschecker first ran a search for the “Association of Sunni Muslims”, which did not throw up any details of such an organisation based in Dubai. We then looked up the address mentioned in the letter and found it to be of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai.
Newschecker saw that three mobile phone numbers were provided in the letter as the points of contact for residents of Hubli, Karwar and Shimoga districts in Karnataka. We found on Whatsapp that the first number, which allegedly was of Mohammad Faiyaz, is actually registered in the name of Dallmayr, a company that sells coffee machines. We found the Instagram account of the company, which mentions the same number from the viral letter.
We then contacted the company, which stated, “We are not related to the organisation mentioned in the letter. We have nothing to do with this matter”. We have also reached out to both the other numbers and will update this story once we receive their responses.
Also Read: Video Showing Vehicles Driving Over Indian Flag Is From Karachi, Not Kerala
Conclusion
A fake notice announcing “ full financial support” to Muslim voters in Karnataka and other states to restore the Congress party to power in the 2024 general elections goes viral.
Result: False
Sources
Address found on Google
Telephonic conversation with number mentioned in viral letter
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Authors
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.
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.
