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
Man waves Pakistani flag following Congress’ win in Karnataka.
Fact
Uttara Kannada SP, and local journalists confirmed that the flag seen in the viral video was a religious flag.
A video showing a man waving a green flag with a white crescent moon and star is being widely shared online. Those sharing the video alleged that the man seen in the viral clip was waving a Pakistani flag following Congress’ win in Karnataka. They further claimed it to be an outcome to electing the Congress in the state polls. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. Though the video is from a celebration of a Congress’ candidate victory in Karnataka, it does not show the man waving a Pakistani flag.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: No, Pak PM Did Not Congratulate Karnataka For Electing Congress In Assembly Polls
Fact Check/Verification
While the Pakistani flag has a white strip, we noticed that the flag seen in the viral footage was fully green with a white crescent moon and a star.
Additionally, we also spotted saffron, Dalit, and Congress party flags in the video.
A report by Vartha Bharati, dated May 13, 2023, carrying a screengrab from the viral footage.
The report stated that following the victory of the Congress candidate in the Bhatkal-Honnavar Constituency, supporters gathered at the Bhatkal Shamsuddin Circle with green and saffron flags to celebrate the Congress victory. It added that the visuals from the celebrations soon went viral on social media platforms with a few users claiming that a Pakistani flag was waved following Congress’ win in Bhatkal.
Bhatkal is a town in Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.
It quoted Uttara Kannada District SP Vishnuvardhana N as saying, “It was a religious flag, and it was not a Pakistani flag. We have confirmed it, and we request the social media users not to share any misleading information that could create communal unrest.”
Newschecker also reached out to journalist RK Bhat of news outlet Udayavani, who was present at the spot when the incident took place. Bhat confirmed to us that the flag seen in the footage was an Islamic flag. He told us that Congress’ Mankal Vaidya, who won from the Bhatkal constituency, enjoyed the support of Tanzeem (an Islamic organisation) along with some members of Hindu organisation, who were harassed at the hands of BJP’s Sunil Naik.
Following Vaidya’s win in the recent state polls, his supporters from the Hindu and Muslim (Tanzeem members) communities came together to celebrate at the Shamshuddin Circle and waved saffron and green flags respectively. Bhat also pointed out that apart from the saffron and green flags, the Congress party flags were also raised. And Mankal’s supporters also waved flags with his photograph to celebrate his victory.
Newschecker also reached out to Inayatullah, the Managing Editor of Bhatkal’s local news website SahilOnline, who corroborated with Bhat’s statement. He confirmed to us that the flag seen in the viral footage was the religious flag of Islam, which is hoisted in Dargas on various festivals. He added, “The flag in the video was hoisted by a young member of the local Tanzeem organisation to celebrate Vaidya win in the state polls.” He added that both Hindus and Muslims participated in the victory celebration of the Congress candidate at Bhatkal.
ShailOnline Bhatkal also shared a video on the celebration on their YouTube channel. The same can be seen here.
Conclusion
Viral post claiming that a Pakistani flag was waved in Karnataka post Congress’ win in the recently held state elections is false. The flag seen in the viral video is a religious Islamic flag, which was flown side-by-side the Saffron flag, Ambedkar flag and the Congress flag.
Result: False
Sources
Report By Vartha Bharati, Dated May 13, 2023
Conversation With RK Bhat Of Udayavani
Conversation With Inayatullah Of SahilOnline
Self Analysis
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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.
