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.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, social media platforms witnessed a revival of fake free recharge schemes attributed to the BJP and the Congress this week. While a clipped video was shared to falsely claim that the Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah wishes to be reborn as a Muslim, a fabricated tweet by Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif went viral. From misleading claims on the SBI to old video of a assault of police in Delhi shared as recent, here are our top fact checks from this week:
Fake BJP, Congress ‘Free Recharge’ Schemes Go Viral In Run-Up To Lok Sabha Polls
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, most likely to be scheduled for next month, social media and Whatsapp have seen several users claiming that both the BJP and the Congress are offering “phone recharge” freebies to woo voters. Newschecker found that there were no such schemes and that the websites in the links were deemed suspicious and marked “Doubtful. Medium-Risk. Alert” by Scam Detector, a major fraud prevention resource. Read our full fact check here.
Did Siddaramaiah Say He Wishes To Be Reborn As A Muslim? No, Viral Video Found To be Misleadingly Clipped
Several social media users are circulating a 20-second video of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressing a crowd, where he purportedly expresses his desire to be reborn as a Muslim. Newschecker’s investigation revealed that a clipped video of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pointing out JDS chief HD Deve Gowda’s old anti-BJP statements was shared in a misleading manner. Read our full fact check here.
Fake Tweet Of PM Shehbaz Sharif Announcing Pakistan’s Citizenship Act, Primarily Meant For ‘Indian Muslims Who Feel Persecuted’, Goes Viral
Several social media users are sharing a screenshot of a purported tweet by newly sworn-in Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that his government has decided to notify Pakistan’s own CAA, in which Indian Muslims who feel persecuted can seek citizenship of Pakistan. Newschecker’s investigation revealed that the viral screenshot of a tweet by Pakistan’s Prime Minister announcing their CAA is fabricated. Read our full fact check here.
2015 Video Of Assault Of Traffic Police Goes Viral Amid Delhi Cop-Namaz Row
A video showing men wearing skull caps thrashing two uniformed traffic police personnel at a roadside is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those sharing the footage claim that the police officers were assaulted for issuing a challan to the motorcyclists for riding without a helmet, stating that the country faces a “greater danger from within.” We found that the video is old, and has been shared out of context. Read our full fact check here.
SBI Started Sharia Compliant Deposits Specifically in Kerala’s Muslim Dominated Malappuram? No, Misleading Claim Shared With Communal Colour
Several social media users are claiming that the SBI branch has started accepting investments in Malappuram under the Sharia law. The posts are being shared with an image of showing a notice on the door of SBI Malappuram Civil Station Branch announcing that the bank accepted Sharia compliant deposits. Our investigation revealed that Sharia compliant Mutual Funds were implemented nationwide by SBI and not only in Malappuram. Read our full fact check here.
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. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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.
