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
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dancing under the influence of alcohol.
Fact
Old video of dance performance by Siddaramaiah’s lookalike, and not the Congress leader himself.
A video purportedly showing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dancing allegedly after having Champagne is going viral on social media platforms. In the 34-second-long-video, two footage have been switched together. While the first part shows the Congress leader celebrating with a Champagne bottle, the second segment allegedly shows Siddaramaiah dancing. The text “a few moments later” has been used to join the two clips together- insinuating that the new Karnataka Chief Minister was dancing under the influence of alcohol. The video further carries a watermark of “Troll Guru”.
Multiple Twitter users shared the footage.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the video on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
Also Read: Karnataka Congress MLA ‘Dictating Terms’ To Police? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Fact Check/Verification
We investigated both the videos switched together in the viral footage one-by-one.
Video 1
A keyword search for “Siddaramaiah,” and “Champagne” on Google led us to a video uploaded on the YouTube channel TV VIKRAMA NATIONAL on August 3, 2022.
Titled “Siddu’s champagne celebration: Siddaramaiah is in the party mood…”, it carried the viral video from a different angle.
The video was also uploaded on the verified YouTube channel of NewsFirst Kannada on August 3, 2022, to show visuals from Siddaramaiah’s birthday celebrations.
A report by Tamil News website Seithipunal, dated August 3, 2022, also featured a screengrab from the video to show Siddaramaiah at his birthday celebrations.
Hence, the video is nearly old and does not show celebrations after Siddaramaiah was declared the new Karnataka Chief Minister.
Video 2
We conducted a keyword search for “Siddaramaiah” and “dancing video” on Google which yielded a report by Times of India, dated March 13, 2018. It featured an image similar to the keyframes of the video shared to show Siddaramaiah dancing, and stated, “…A video featuring ‘the Congress leader’ that has gone viral on social media, earning him brickbats, it turns out, is actually of a farmer who is his lookalike.”
The report identified the man as Channamahagowda, a farmer from Mysuru. It further stated that the video was from “a workshop on sustainable grains and millets that took place at Kanakapura Road, Kaggalipura’s cultural center in Bengaluru’s suburb…”
A report by Bangalore Mirror, updated March 14, 2018, carried a YouTube video showing the full performance by Siddaramaiah’s lookalike. It further quoted him as saying, “I had attended the workshop recently. We were happy after listening to the benefits of organic farming. As a part of the cultural programme, a few people sang songs. I was told to perform a dance, which I did. This video had no intent to bring a bad name to the CM.”
Multiple other outlets reported on the viral dance video of Siddaramaiah’s doppelganger. Such reports can be seen here, here and here.
Hence, a video of Siddaramaiah’s lookalike is being falsely shared to show the new Karnataka Chief Minister dancing.
Also Read: No, This Video Does Not Show Man Waving Pakistani Flag In Karnataka After Congress’ Win
Conclusion
A video of Siddaramaiah’s lookalike is being falsely shared to show the new Karnataka Chief Minister dancing after getting drunk.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By TV VIKRAMA NATIONAL, Dated August 3, 2022
YouTube Video By NewsFirst Kannada, Dated August 3, 2022
Report By Times of India, Dated March 13, 2018
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback, or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form.
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.
