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.
A video showing TMC MP Mahua Moitra “assaulting” a female police officer has surfaced on social media platforms, following recent uproar against her for using an “offensive” word in a Lok Sabha session. Several users shared a 11-second-long-clip of Moitra manhandling and pushing a cop, taking a jibe on her “elegance and class.” Newschecker found that the video is over four-year-old, and is being shared without context.
Several Twitter users posted the video with caption, “#MahuaMoitra shows her elegancy and class again, as she shoves constables at an airport. I’m surprised she didn’t give them the middle finger as well (sic)”
Archived versions of such tweet can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Nitin Gadkari Refrained From Clapping For PM During Lok Sabha Speech? Here’s The Truth
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Mahua Moitra” “female police” & “clash” on Google led us to a video report by ANI News, dated August 2, 2018. Displaying snippets of the viral clip, it stated, “Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra pushed and heckled the security authorities at Silchar Airport. The lady constable received injuries after the scuffle.”
Following this, we looked up “Mahua Moitra,” “airport” & “fight” on Google which yielded a Facebook post by Times Of India, dated August 3, 2018. The post carried the viral clip, and stated, “TMC MLA Mahua Moitra assaulted a woman constable after she and other members of the party delegation were stopped by the cops at Silchar airport.”
A TMC delegation had flown to Assam’s Silchar to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2018. Reportedly, the delegation was detained at the airport and asked to give an assurance that the members won’t make any provocative speeches or instigate violence during their visit and a scuffle broke out.
The incident seen in the viral video is from the same visit. A blame-game had then kicked off between the TMC leaders and the Assam Police. While the Assam Police had accused Moitra of assaulting and injuring police constables, the TMC MP had alleged “mishandling” by the cops. The party had also released another video of the incident showing its leaders being dragged by the police.
Conclusion
Viral video showing TMC MP Mahua Moitra “assaulting” a female police officer dates back to 2018, and is being shared out of context.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
YouTube Video By ANI News, Dated August 2, 2018
Facebook Post By Times Of India, Dated August 3, 2018
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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.
