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.
Claim
Gayatri Mantra chanted during the recent swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
Shehbaz Sharif on March 4 took the oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan, taking over the country’s reins for a second time since 2022.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here. We also received this ticket on our Whatsapp tipline (9999499044), requesting us to fact-check it.
Fact
Newschecker noticed that the speaker wished the audience and the dignitaries on stage, which included former PM Nawaz Sharif, “Happy Holi”, before proceeding to recite the prayer, indicating that it was a cultural event.
We then ran a reverse image search of keyframes of the video, which led us to this ABP News report, dated March 17, 2017, stating that a Hindu girl recited the Gayatri Mantra before Nawaz Sharif in Karachi and that the Pak PM lauded her rendition.
“In his inclusive message to minorities, Sharif said ‘no one can force others to adopt a certain religion’ in Pakistan and greeted the gathering with ‘Happy Holi’. However, a girl named Narodha Malini stole the show in Karachi with her rendition of the Gayatri Mantra, to which Sharif gave a round of applause. The clip that captured the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and Nawaz Sharif’s reaction is going viral on social media,” read the report.
A further search led us to this BBC News Hindi interview with Narodha Malini, dated March 21, 2017, featuring an excerpt from her recital in front of Sharif.
We also came across this National Herald report on Youtube, dated March 17, 2017, sharing a clearer version of the viral video.
“At the start of a Holi celebration programme attended by chief guest Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others, Pakistani singer Narodha Malni gives a rendition of the sacred Gayatri Mantra,” read the description of the video. Similar reports can be seen here and here, confirming the viral video is of a 2017 Holi event in Karachi, Pakistan.
Also Read: Viral Gazette Notification On Appointment Of Election Commissioners Is Fake
Result: False
Source
ABP News report, March 17, 2017
BBC News Hindi report, Youtube, March 17, 2017
National Herald report, Youtube, March 17, 2017
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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.
