Authors
As the political parties geared up for the Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections with offline and online campaigning, social media platforms continued to remain abuzz with politically-charged content this week as well. And as an expected byproduct, misinformation followed. From a fabricated communal notice to false claims about New York Times, here are our top fact checks from the week
Rahul Gandhi Visits Ayodhya Ram Temple After Filing Nomination? No, Viral Video Is From Jharkhand
Several social media users are sharing a video, purportedly showing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Ayodhya Ram temple, where the crowd is heckling him with “Modi, Modi” chants. The users mocked Gandhi’s alleged visit, saying that he became a Brahmin after filing his nomination papers on May 3 from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat. Newschecker found that the video is from February 2024, when Gandhi offered prayers at the Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand, during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Read more here.
15-Year-Old Comment From A Reader Goes Viral As New York Times Article Hailing Indian Elections
A purported New York Times article, praising India and its elections, has gone viral on social media, amid the third phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections taking place across 93 seats in 12 states and union territories on May 7 (Tuesday). Newschecker’s investigation revealed that the viral ‘article’ is actually a comment by a reader, posted under a New York Times article, dated April 14, 2009. Read more here.
2019 Video Alleging Voter Fraud By Army Soldiers At BJP’s Behest Goes Viral Amid Lok Sabha Polls
A video showing a man accusing army soldiers of campaigning for the BJP, and asking people to vote for the saffron party inside a polling booth has gained social media attention amid the ongoing elections in the country. The man further alleges that the soldiers were involved in fake voting. Multiple social media users shared the footage claiming that the BJP is using the army to cast fake votes. Newschecker found that the video dates back to 2019, and has been shared as recent. Read more here.
Fake Notice Promises Financial Support To Muslims Travelling To India To Vote Against ‘Fascist Forces’
Several social media users are sharing a circular, purportedly issued by an “Association of Sunni Muslims”, based in Dubai, announcing “full financial support” in arranging for flights so that Muslims from Karnataka and other states can vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections to defeat “fascist forces” and bring the Congress back to power. Newschecker found that the viral notice announcing “ full financial support” to Muslim voters to restore the Congress party to power in the 2024 general elections is fake. Read more here.
Old Interview Of Manisha Koirala Batting For Hindu Rashtra In Nepal Shared As Recent
Several social media users are circulating a clip of an interview of Nepalese actor Manisha Koirala, who recently collaborated with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after 28 years for his OTT debut Heeramandi. According to the claims and the subtitles provided in the video, the Bollywood actor is supporting Hindu Rashtra and alluding to how the “leftist/Communist and Congress type democracy/govts destroyed Nepal”. Newschecker found that a clip from an interview with Manisha Koirala ahead of Nepal general elections in 2022 has been falsely linked to 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Read more 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
