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
Massive anti-EVM protest in Maharashtra following assembly polls.
Fact
Old video of protest against EVMs in Delhi.
As the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) leaders cited alleged EVM irregularities for their alliance’s loss in the recently held Maharashtra Polls, a video purportedly showing a massive protest against the usage of voting machines is going viral on social media platforms.
Several social media users shared the 16-second-long-footage claiming that the Maharashtra residents are flooding streets with a demand to remove EVMs. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be false.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral clip, we heard the protesters chanting “EVM Hatao, Desh Bachao (Remove EVM, Save Country).”
Taking a clue, we looked up the same keywords on Facebook which led us to a post by @denver.fits, dated February 4, 2024, carrying the same clip. “Thousands of people protest against the use of EVM in New Delhi and several parts of the country…,” the post stated.
We also found an X post by @SuberarY75592, dated January 31, 2024, featuring the same clip, further confirming that the video does not show any anti-EVM protest after the recent Maharashtra polls. The post stated that the visuals are from Jantar Mantar.
Furthermore, we found multiple social media posts from January 31, 2024 carrying similar visuals of protests against EVMs in New Delhi. Such posts stated that the agitation was helmed by ‘Bharat Mukti Morcha.’
On comparing the keyframes of the viral clip with such visuals, we could conclude that they were shot at the same location.
Notably, we were able to spot a hoarding saying ‘Janata Dal (United) Central Office’ in one such post.
Following this, we looked up JD(U)’s Central Office near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, and found several images of the location identical to the one seen in the viral video.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Video Shared Claiming To Show Police Action In Sambhal Amid Recent Violence
A report by Amar Ujala, dated January 31, 2024, said that multiple organisations had organised a protest against EVM at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar also addressed an anti-EVM protest at Jantar Mantar, and shared visuals from the same in an X post on January 31, 2024.
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from Delhi has been shared to show a massive anti-EVM protest in Maharashtra following the recent assembly polls.
Result: False
Sources
Facebook Post By @denver.fits, Dated February 4, 2024
X Post By @SuberarY75592, Dated January 31, 2024
YouTube Video By Zee Bihar Jharkhand, Dated August 5, 2022
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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.
