Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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
The Indian owner of a Tesla car showroom in Maryland, USA, organised a Tesla Music Show, featuring 100 Tesla cars in a formation that spelled out Ram, ahead of the Ram Mandir consecration.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here.
Fact
Newschecker ran a keyword search for “Tesla showroom car Ram formation US”, which led us to this NDTV report, dated January 14, 2023, stating that over 100 Ram Bhakts, each owning a Tesla Car, gathered at Shri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple in Frederick City — a Maryland suburb of Washington DC — on Saturday night, where they used one of the key features of Tesla cars wherein the headlights and speakers of these Tesla cars synced with a popular number dedicated to Lord Ram.
“According to the organisers of the Tesla Music Show, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, more than 200 Tesla Car owners had registered for the event and they had to turn on a significantly large number of them. Drone pictures taken by the event organisers showed that these Tesla Cars created a “RAM” by placing these cars in such a way,” read the report, adding that VHP America is leading the Ram temple celebrations in the US, on Saturday held car rallies in as many as 21 cities. Similar reports can be seen here and here, confirming that the event was not organised by a Tesla car showroom owner, but by VHP America.
We also came across this Youtube video, uploaded by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America on January 14, 2024, which shows the same event seen in the viral clip.
“Jai Shri Ram Tesla Light Show was a huge success! Over 100 Tesla Ram bhakts gathered at Shri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple in Frederick, MD, USA to celebrate the upcoming inauguration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Whether it’s a Tesla light show or a simple diya, let Shri Ram bring light into your life this new Diwali! Jai Shri Ram! Jai Siya Ram!,” read the description of the Youtube video, which further confirms it was not a light display arranged by a Tesla car showroom owner as claimed, but a VHP America event.
We also reached out to VHP America and will update this copy once we receive a response.
Also Read: 3-Months-Old Video Shared As Footage Of Drone Show In Ayodhya Ahead Of Ram Mandir Inauguration
Result: Partly False
Sources
NDTV report, January 14, 2024
Youtube video, VHP America, January 14, 2024
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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.
