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
Dance performance at BJP protest against the recent Kolkata doctor rape-murder case.
Fact
Video from an annual fair at Char Brahmanagar in West Bengal’s Nadia district.
A video spanning a minute and a half, showing a young girl dancing on a stage with posters demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital rape and murder victim is going viral online. Social media users, including verified profiles, who shared the video claim that it was from a protest organised by the BJP against the heinous crime against the female doctor in Kolkata. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
The video is being widely shared across social media platforms with users calling out the BJP. The TMC-linked users also alleged that the video was from a protest organised by the saffron party.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the video on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
Also Read: Old Video From Visakhapatnam Falsely Linked To Kolkata Rape And Murder Case
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral footage, we noticed “Mansa Mela” written in Bengali on a banner in the backdrop. Further, we also noticed swings set up in the location of the video.
Taking a clue, we looked up multiple keywords “Mansa Mela,” and “Protest” in Bengali on Facebook, which yielded a post by @souvik.banerjee.9615566, dated August 26, 2024. The user shared a post carrying the viral footage, and stated, “It would be better if they not protest in Char Bhramapur Maa Mansa & Behula Lakhindar mela”
The user also posted a link to a YouTube video showing glimpses of the fair. We were able to spot a stage similar to the one seen in the viral footage.
We further found a Facebook post by @pinki.debnath.5623, dated August 23, 2024, carrying a video of a dance performance at a venue similar to the one seen in the viral footage.
A comparison between the viral footage, and the Facebook video led us to conclude that they both are from the same event.
Notably, the banner seen in the backdrop in the Facebook video clearly states “Char Brahmanagar Sevak Samiti” as the organiser.
Facebook user @aloke.biswas also shared multiple images from the fair. One such image featured the banner clearly stating the name of the fair at the “Char Brahmanagar Sevak Samiti Maidan”and organising committee.
Char Brahmanagar is in Nadia district of West Bengal.
Furthermore, we found a Facebook post from the same event by user @debastuti.debnath.3, who identified herself as a “professional dance teacher and make-up artist” on her facebook page.
A comparison between the viral footage and Facebook video can be seen below.
“Let’s be loud and say this girl, listen, this night, this morning, is as much yours as a man’s. Observance of silence by the students and all the parents of Madhuban Nrityakala Kendra protesting the brutal rape and murder of the female doctor at RG Kar (hospital)…Many thanks to all the members of Sevakasmiti Club who have given my school a beautiful stage like every other time for displaying their talents,” the user stated in Bengali.
Notably, the post was shared by user @pijushbhowmick.bhowmick who stated, “We are protesting (against the brutal rape and murder of the doctor in Kolkata) on behalf of the Sevak Samiti and Mela Committee as we have chosen this platform and we will protest everywhere.”
He further stated, “…the fair has been happening for the past 15 years, and 50-60 shops rely on the same…If it rains, people don’t want to come, and we have to do events where people gather in the fairs (translated from Bengali).”
Replying to the post, user @debastuti.debnath.3 said, “Many thanks to all your club members and you too,” indicating Bhowmick to be a member of the organising committee.
We have reached out to both Pijush Bhowmick and Debastuti Debnath, and will update the article upon receiving their comments.
Also Read: Viral Video Of Virat Kohli’s Remarks On Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Is Old & Unrelated
BJP Refutes Allegations
The West Bengal unit of the BJP has clarified that the video has “nothing to do “ with the party. “One can read the backdrop. It clearly says ‘Puja Pandal’. It has nothing to do with the BJP. Floating such videos is nothing but an insult to the memory of RG Kar rape and murder victim. Both TMC and Congress trolls are indulging in assassinating her dignity by posting such vile videos,” it said in an X post.
Conclusion
Hence, a video from a fair has been falsely shared to show dance performance at a protest by BJP against the recent Kolkata rape and murder case.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By @banglarcone6038, Dated August 19, 2024
Facebook post By @pinki.debnath.5623, Dated August 23, 2024
Facebook Post By @aloke.biswas, Dated August 17, 2024
Facebook Post By @debastuti.debnath.3, Dated August 23, 2024
Facebook Post By @pijushbhowmick.bhowmick, Dated August 26, 2024
X Post By @BJP4Bengal, Dated August 26, 2024
(With inputs from Paromita Das and Tanujit Das from Newschecker Bangla team)
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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.
