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
Video Of BJP leader Uma Bharti calling PM Modi ‘Vinash Purush.’
Fact
Old video shot when Bharti was not a part of the BJP.
A video of BJP leader Uma Bharti criticising PM Narendra Modi has surfaced on social media platforms ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the video, Bharti is heard targeting the Prime Minister over poverty, law and order, women safety, and debt in Gujarat. “I believe that Narendra Modi is not ‘Vikas Purush’ but ‘Vinash Purush,’ and he has destroyed Gujarat,” she is heard saying. Newscheker found that the video is old, and has been shared out of context.
Newschecker received the video on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
The video has also been shared by X users.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Assault of Tamil Nadu BJP Executive Shared As Recent
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Uma Bharti,” “PM Modi,” and “Vinash Purush” on Google led us to a report by Times Of India, dated April 17, 2014. The report stated, “The Congress party on Thursday pulled out a video clip from the archives showing BJP leader Uma Bharati describing the BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as ‘vinash purush’ instead of ‘vikas purush’, to claim that this was the true picture of Modi.”
Adding, “The video clip released by the Congress party on Thursday was reportedly shot shortly after Uma had quit the BJP to float her own political outfit by the name of Bharatiya Janshakti Party in 2006. She rejoined the BJP in 2011.”
A report published in News18 on the video, dated April 17, 2014, stated, “Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the video was recorded in Gujarat a few years back, apparently when Uma Bharti had walked out of the BJP in a huff…Bharatiya Janata Party admitted that the video was not a fake by saying Uma Bharti was not in the party when she made these remarks.”
“The Congress party has released a three-year-old video of BJP leader Uma Bharti where she is heard saying that PM contender Narendra Modi is an agent of destruction, and the claims of development in Gujarat are hypocritical. Uma was not in the BJP at that time, and was the President of Bharatiya Janshakti Party,” reported Aaj Tak.
In a report dated April 17, 2024, NDTV stated that Uma Bharti had complained to the Election Commission after the Congress party had released the three-year-old video clip. Adding that Bharti said that she made the comments after she was expelled from the party. “Even America has changed its mind about Modi,” she was quoted as saying.
Notbaly, Bharti was expelled from the BJP in 2005 over indiscipline and anti-party activities. She had later re-joined the saffron party in 2011.
Also Read: Prime Minister’s Wife Targeting ‘Modi Ki Guarantee?’ No, Viral Image Of Jashodaben Is Edited
Conclusion
A video of Uma Bharti calling PM Modi ‘Vinash Purush’ shot when she was not in the BJP has been shared out of context.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Report By Times Of India, Dated April 17, 2014
Report By Aaj Tak, Dated April 17, 2014
Report By NDTV, Dated April 17, 2014
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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.
