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
Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni visited Gurudwara amid the ongoing farmers’ protest.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Farmers’ Protest- Cops Attacked With Swords By Farmers? No, Month-Old-Video Viral With False Claims
Fact
A Google lens search of the image yielded an X post by Gurpreet Singh Anand, dated February 26, 2024. It carried the viral image with the caption, “Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the @khalsajatha.” Notably, Khalsa Jatha is a gurudwara in London.
Following this, we looked up the keyword “Dhoni” on Anand’s X account, and found a photograph of the duo in a post dated October 1, 2022. It stated, “I met MS Dhoni a couple of months ago at the Gurdwara @khalsajatha in London and noticed he was calm, at one with himself and able to absorb the spiritual moment. It’s that inner calmness that gives fortitude in situations which may stress many others out.”
In the photograph, both the men can be seen in the same attire as in the viral image.
Also Read: Farmers Protest 2024- Old Video Shared To Claim Nihang Sikhs Are Marching To Delhi
We, then, skimmed through the social media accounts of Gurpreet Singh Anand, the President of Khalsa Jatha Gurudwara, and found that a cropped version of the viral image was shared on his Instagram account on July 17, 2022.
Hence, an old image of MS Dhoni has been falsely shared to claim that the cricketer visited a Gurdwara amid ongoing farmers’ protest.
Also Read: Farmers’ Delhi Chalo Protest March- 2017 Video Showing Pro-Farmers’ Rally in Jaipur Shared As Recent
Result: False
Sources
X Post By @ustaadji, Dated October 1, 2022
Instagram Post By @gurpreet.singh.anand, Dated July 17, 2022
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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.
