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
A recent attack on a Tamil Nadu BJP executive.
Fact
Video dating back to July, 2023 shows a BJP executive being attacked by his own party members.
A CCTV footage of a duo brutally assaulting a man in the middle of a road is going viral on social media platforms. Those who shared the video claim that it shows a recent attack on a Tamil Nadu BJP executive. Newschecker found that the video dates back to July 2023, and shows a BJP functionary being attacked by his own party members.
Multiple X users shared over tow-video-long-video claiming “BJP IT & Social Media Cell District Secretary Rajesh Biju was brutally thrashed last evening in front of his house.”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We noticed that the date stamp on the top right corner in the viral footage showed “31-07-2023,” raising our suspicion.
Following this, we looked up keywords “Rajesh, “BJP, “Chennai” and “attacked“ in Tamil on Google, which yielded a report by Dinakaran, dated August 1, 2023. It stated, “a case has been registered against Chennai East District BJP General Secretary S.S. Subbiah for assaulting his own party member…He went to the house of BJP IT Division Secretary Rajesh from the same district and attacked him along with his supporters… (translated from Tamil via Google)”
Displaying the viral footage, a report by ETV Bharat, dated August 1, 2023, stated, “Chennai East District BJP General Secretary S. Subbiah runs a party office and a hotel in Nanganallur. A video of him drinking alcohol while sitting with his friends in the hotel he runs has gone viral on social media. (translated from Tamil via Google)”
Following which, “Subbiah, along with BJP Zonal President Jawahar Armstrong and Subbiah’s sister’s son Mutharasan visited Chennai East District IT Division Secretary Rajesh at his residence in Nanganallur and verbally abused him.” Adding that the men assaulted Rajesh accusing him of circulating the video.
Also Read: Prime Minister’s Wife Targeting ‘Modi Ki Guarantee?’ No, Viral Image Of Jashodaben Is Edited
The video was also shared on X by Sun News on August 1, 2023, stating “A case has been filed against Chennai East District BJP General Secretary S.S. Subbiah who attacked his own party member! (translated from Tamil via Google)”
We also found a X post by the Chennai Police clarifying that the video is old. It stated, “The video pertains to a fight that occurred due to personal dispute between two factions of a political party @ Nanganallur and which happened on 31.07.2023 NOT yesterday. In this regard, a case was registered in the jurisdictional police station and proper legal action was taken. “
Also Read: Aamir Khan Warning Against ‘Jumlas’? No, Actor’s Deepfake Goes Viral Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls
Conclusion
We could conclude that an old video showing an attack on a Tamil Nadu BJP executive by his own party members has been shared misleadingly as a recent incident.
Result: Partly False
Sources
Report By Dinakaran, Dated August 1, 2023
Report By ETV Bharat, Dated August 1, 2023
X Post By @sunnewstamil, Dated August 1, 2023
X Post By @chennaipolice_, Dated April 15, 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.
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.
