Authors
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
This Ram devotee is seen going to Ayodhya walking on his hands.
Fact
This claim is false. The person seen in the video, Nihal Singh, is not going to Ayodhya but to Basukinath.
A viral video on social media is claiming that a devotee, walking on his hands, was spotted going to Ayodhya. The 45-second video, shared by India TV on YouTube on January 17, 2024, shows a man walking on his hands. The caption of the post reads, – श्री राम के लिए गज़ब की दीवानगी, अयोध्या के लिए हाथों के बल चला भक्त। (Amazing passion for Shri Ram, the devotee walked with his hands to Ayodhya.)
The archive version of this video can be seen here.
Many other users shared similar posts which can be seen here, here and here.
Leading media outlet TV9 also posted the video with the same claim.The post can be seen here.
Fact Check/Verification
To begin with, we conducted a Google Keyword Search with “Devotee walking on hand”, which led us to reports published by Prabhat Khabar and Amar Ujala. According to these reports, the person seen in the video is Nihal Singh, a resident of Saharsa district in Bihar. Nihal Singh told the reporter that he had visited Babadham for the first time six years ago and performed Dand Pranam, a ritual of bowing down to God. Now, inspired by Baba, he is returning to Babadham in the shape of a scorpion, walking on his hands.
During this investigation, Newschecker Hindi Team contacted Nihal Singh on the phone. He confirmed that he was heading to Basukinath, Jharkhand, not Ayodhya, from Sultanganj, covering a distance of 160 kilometres. He began his journey on July 4, the first day of Sawan, and is still on his way.
Nihal Singh said that his video, taken about 10 days ago, is going viral with a false claim. He is still on his way to Basukinath and has 20-25 days left in his journey. When asked if he had any plans to visit Ayodhya in the future, he said he had no such intention as of now.
Conclusion
Based on reports and our interview, we find that the man seen in the viral video walking on his hands, was not going to Ayodhya but to Basukinath, Jharkhand.
Result: False
Our Sources:
Phonic Conversation with Nihal Singh.
Report published by Amar Ujala on 15 july 2023.
Report published by Prabhat khabar on 9th july 2023.
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Authors
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.
