Authors
Vijayalakshmi leads our Tamil team. She’s worked in the media industry for more than eight years. This includes her work as a senior correspondent for Times Now before joining Newschecker. She turned to fact-checking to create awareness around misinformation through her writing.
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
Activist Piyush Manush thrashed for mocking Hindus over Tirupati Laddu row.
Fact
2019 video shared out of context
The reports on a lab test indicating the presence of animal fat in the ghee used to make ‘Laddus,’ which are offered as the ‘prasadam’ at the Tirupati Temple caused a massive stir, prompting strong reactions from politicians, devotees, and general public alike.
In this context, a video purportedly showing a mob thrashing activist Piyush Manush for his comments on the ongoing temple row, and “mocking Hindus” is being widely shared on social media platforms. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old.
Multiple X and Facebook users are sharing the 26-second-long-footage claiming, “Piyush Manush, the guy who mocked HINDUS with a video titled “Beef Laddoo for all HINDUS delivered by Perumal himself” has got a better TREATMENT at Salem, TAMIL NADU.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral footage, we noticed the watermark of ‘NewsGlitz’ on the top right corner. Taking a clue, we looked up relevant keywords and found that the same clip was posted on the outlet’s YouTube channel on August 28, 2019.
Also Read: Viral Video Of ‘Vandalism At Toll Plaza In Chandigarh’ Is Actually From Bangladesh
The description of the same stated that Piyush Manush was thrashed by the party workers at the BJP office in Salem. Adding that as per sources, he purposely went inside the office while ‘Live’ on Facebook, and started raising questions.
In an X post, dated September 22, 2024, Manush has commented, “Beef entered the most famous, richest and highest reverend Tirupati Balaji temple … The deity, the priests, the administration all failed. None took responsibility nor apologised !!”
Also Read: India Has Not Halted Its Electricity Supply To Bangladesh
Conclusion
Hence, a 2019 video has been shared out of context to show a mob thrashing activist Piyush Manush over his comments on Hindus following the Tirupati Laddu row.
Result: False
Source
YouTube Video By NewsGlitz Tamil, Dated August 28, 2019
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Authors
Vijayalakshmi leads our Tamil team. She’s worked in the media industry for more than eight years. This includes her work as a senior correspondent for Times Now before joining Newschecker. She turned to fact-checking to create awareness around misinformation through her writing.
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.
