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
Visuals from the recent stampede in Hathras during a religious event.
Fact
Old video from an incident during a pre-Holi event at a Mathura temple.
Several social media users, including verified handles, shared a forty-three-second-long-footage claiming to show the recent tragic stampede in Hathras during a religious congregation. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue. The footage in fact dates back to March, 2024 and shows an incident during a pre-Holi event at a temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura
Multiple X users shared the video claiming to show the visuals from the recent stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
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At least 121 people were dead, and multiple others injured after a stampede broke out during a ‘satsang’ organised by self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari also known as ‘Bhole Baba.’ The incident happened on July 2 at Phulrai village of the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. The investigation into the incident is underway, and six accused have been arrested so far.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a YouTube video by NDTV from March 2024. Featuring a longer version of the viral footage, it stated, “A stampede broke out during a pre-Holi event at the revered Shreeji Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura today. The incident resulted in at least six devotees falling unconscious, with injuries reported among the crowd.”
Elaborating the incident, another NDTV report stated, “According to eyewitness accounts, the stampede took place around 1:15 pm. A large number of visitors, compounded by the special occasion of ‘Laddoo Holi’…, contributed to the overcrowding, police said. In the chaos, around six people lost consciousness, prompting immediate medical attention…Soon after the stampede broke out, a contingent of police force was sent to the temple to restore order and assist with crowd control measures.”
The official X handles of DNA and News24 also shared the viral footage to show the scenes from a pre-Holi event at a temple in Mathura.
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Corroborating the same, a Times Now report, dated March 18, 2024 stated, “Several devotees got injured on Sunday in a stampede that broke out during a pre-Holi ever at the Radha Rani Temple…Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura”
“However, SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey refuted reports of the stampede at the temple. He said that proper arrangements have been in place as devotees are visiting the temple in large numbers,” it added. The report also carried a longer version of the viral footage.
Notably, reacting to the reports of stampede, SSP Mathura Shailesh Kumar Pandey was quoted as saying by ANI, “Laddu maar holi celebrations are going on in Barsana. Devotees are offering prayers and celebrating amidst adequate security arrangements. Rumours of a stampede are being spread. There is a lot of crowd for sure but the security arrangements are adequate. We request everyone not to pay heed to rumours…”
Also Read: Hathras Stampede – Old Video Falsely Linked To The Recent UP Tragedy
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from a temple in Mathura has been falsely shared to show the recent tragic stampede in Hathras during a religious congregation.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By NDTV, Dated March 17, 2024
X Post By @dna, Dated March 18, 2024
X Post By @news24tvchannel, Dated March 17, 2024
Report By Times Now, Dated March 18, 2024
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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.
