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
‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants in a Maharashtra residential society ahead of the state polls.
Fact
Old video from Kanpur shared in false context.
A video allegedly showing the residents of a housing apartment in Maharashtra chanting pro-Hindu slogans has gone viral on social media platforms ahead of the State Assembly Elections that are due on November 20.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the two-minute-thirty-nine-minute-long-video of ‘Jai Shree Ram chants in a society to show the “Mood of Maharashtra.” Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a Facebook post by @PoliticsSolitics, dated February 17, 2022. It featured the same video showing residents of a society chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram,’ confirming that it does not show any recent incident.
The video was also shared on the Facebook page of ‘Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal Block Banskho’ on February 15, 2022. The post stated that the viral video shows a ‘Prabhat Feri’ at a society in Kanpur west.
We then came across a post by Facebook user ‘Sanatani Abhishek Singh Chauhan’ from February 2022 carrying the same video.
Detailing on the “14th day of Prabhat Feri,” the post stated, “the RSS organised its ‘Prabhat Feri’ in Gautam Nagar, Kalyanpur, in Navsheel Dham Society, and various apartments such as Ratan Orbit Apartment, Kanha Shyam Apartment, Divinity Home Apartment, Gulmohar Apartment, Imperial Height Apartment and Indira Nagar etc. with loud cheers and celebrations. It culminated at GT Road in front of Kalyanpur Station.”
Following this, we skimmed through the Google images of various apartments listed in the post, and could confirm that the video was from ‘Diviniti Homes’ in Kanpur, and not Maharashtra as widely claimed.
The Facebook page for Diviniti Homes also carried multiple videos showing the same apartment complex as seen in the viral footage.
Also Read: Did Sanjay Raut Say That Uddhav Thackeray Will Pay Higher Remittances To Muslim Women?
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from Kanpur has been falsely shared to show ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants in a Maharashtra residential society ahead of the state polls.
Result: False
Sources
Facebook Post By @PoliticsSolitics, Dated February 17, 2022
Facebook Post By ‘Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal Block Banskho, Dated February 15, 2022
Facebook Post By Sanatani Abhishek Singh Chauhan, Dated February 12, 2022
Google images
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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.
