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
Recent video of ISKCON members distributing food to flood victims in Bangladesh.
Fact
Video from 2022, does not show recent relief work by ISKCON members.
As floods wreak havoc in Bangladesh amid the recent political unrest, which also saw attacks on minorities, a video purportedly showing ISKCON devotees distributing food to the flood-victim is going viral. Several social media users claimed that the video shows the relief work by the ISKCON temple members amid the recent floods in Bangladesh. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the one-minute-twenty-second-long-video claiming that despite “anti-Hindu violence,” and “attack on temples” ISKCON members are distributing food to flood victims in Bangladesh. Reportedly, an ISKCON temple in Meherpur was attacked amid unrest that ensued Sheikh Hasina’s exit.
A screengrab from the video has also been shared to make the same claim.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Viral Photo Of Men Offering Prayers Amid Floods In Bangladesh Is Old
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “ISKCON temple,” “flood” and “Bangladesh” on X yielded a post by user @_Agnijwala_, dated June 21, 2022. Carrying a video similar to the viral footage, the post stated, “Bangladesh is grappling with the worst ever floods in 122 years. Sylhet & Sunamganj district are worst affected. Amidst the heavy flood, Iskcon is providing relief, serving to the ungrateful community…(sic)”
The text overlay of the video read, “ISKCON Sylhet,Food distribution to the In over flooded areas”
Also Read: Bangladesh Floods – Video Of Srisailam Dam In Andhra Pradesh Falsely Shared As Tripura’s Dumbur Dam
On comparing the keyframes of the viral footage with the X video from 2022, we found several similarities.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “ISKCON Sylhet,” “flood” and “food” in Bengali on Google, which led us to the Facebook page of the Iskcon Youth Forum, Sylhet (@iyfsyl). We skimmed through the profile, and found the viral video posted on June 20, 2022.
We also found multiple posts from June 2022 showing such relief work by the ISKCON members for the flood victims. Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Further, the viral footage was posted by multiple Facebook users, such as this, this and this, in June 2022.
Also Read: AI-Generated Images Falsely Shared As Bangladesh Floods
Conclusion
Hence, an old video of ISKCON members disturbing food to flood victims in Bangladesh has been misleadingly shared as recent.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
X Post By @_Agnijwala_, Dated June 21, 2022
Facebook Post By @iyfsyl, Dated June 20, 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.
