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.
Claim
Police action in Sambhal amid recent violence over survey of a mosque.
Fact
Old video from Gorakhpur shared in false context.
At least four were killed after a violence broke out in UP’s Sambhal over a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era Mosque, Shahi Jama Masjid, in the district. Police reportedly restored to lathi charge, and used tear gas to disperse the mob pelting stones. The situation further worsened as the crowd allegedly opened firing at cops and set vehicles ablaze.
In this backdrop, multiple X and Facebook users shared a video claiming to show police personnel lathi charging on the mob opposing the mosque survey in Sambhal. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We skimmed through social media posts carrying the viral footage and found several users pointing out that the video was in fact from an anti-CAA protest in Gorakhpur.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “गोरखपुर,” “सीएए” and “लाठीचार्ज” on YouTube which yielded a report by Live Hindustan, dated December 20, 2019. Carrying similar visuals, it stated that the police restored to lathi charge following a stone pelting incident during anti-CAA protest in Gorakhpur’s Nakhas Chowk.
A comparison between the keyframes of the viral clip and YouTube video by Live Hindustan can be seen below.
On carefully analysing the viral video, we noticed the hoarding saying “Maa Vaishno Stationers” in the viral clip, and boards for “Mangla Wedding Collection” in the YouTube video.
Following this, we looked up for the same on Google Maps, and were able to spot the location seen in the viral clip in Gorakhpur.
We also came across a YouTube post from December, 2019 carrying a shorter version of the viral clip. Multiple outlets reported on police’s action in Gorakhpur after protesters pelted stones during an anti-CAA protest. Such reports can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: ‘Ram Bhajan’ At CPM Event? No, Viral Video Is Digitally Altered
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from Gorakhpur has been falsely linked to the recent Sambhal violence.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By Live Hindustan, Dated December 20, 2019
Google Images
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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.
